UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

FormFORM 20-F

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year endedMarch 31, 20002002
Commission file number1 - 67841-6784

MATSUSHITA DENKI SANGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
(Exact name of registrantRegistrant as specified in its charter)

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
(Translation of registrant’sRegistrant’s name into English)

Japan
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

1006, Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka 571-8501, Japan
(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

   
Title of each className of each exchange on which registered
   
 
American Depositary Shares*New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Exchange
   
Common Stock**StockNew York Stock Exchange and Pacific Exchange

* 
*              American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts.
                Each American Depositary Share represents ten sharesone share of Common Stock.
**Par value 50 Japanese yen per share.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None

(Title of Class)

None


(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant
to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)
None


(Title of Class)

This form contains 87125 pages.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Item 3. Key Information
A. Selected Financial Data
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
D. Risk Factors
Item 4. Information on the Company
A. History and Development of the Company
B. Business Overview
C. Organizational Structure
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A. Operating Results
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
C. Research and Development
D. Trend Information
E. Accounting Principles
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. Directors and Senior Management
B. Compensation
C. Board Practices
D. Employees
E. Share Ownership
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A. Major Shareholders
B. Related Party Transactions
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Item 8. Financial Information
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
B. Significant Changes
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
A. Offer and Listing Details
B. Plan of Distribution
C. Markets
D. Selling Shareholders
E. Dilution
F. Expenses of the Issue
Item 10. Additional Information
A. Share Capital
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
C. Material Contracts
D. Exchange Controls
E. Taxation
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
G. Statement by Experts
H. Documents on Display
I. Subsidiary Information
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Item 15. [ Reserved ]
Item 16. [ Reserved ]
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements
Item 18. Financial Statements
Item 19. Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Articles of Incorporation
Share Handling Regulations
Regulations of the Board of Directors
Regulations of the Board of Corporate Auditors
Specimen common stock certificates


CONTENTS

Page

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements1
PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers3
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable3
Item 3. Key Information3
   A. Selected Financial Data3
   B. Capitalization and Indebtedness4
   C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds4
   D. Risk Factors4
Item 4. Information on the Company9
   A. History and Development of the Company9
   B. Business Overview13
   C. Organizational Structure24
   D. Property, Plants and Equipment25
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects27
   A. Operating Results27
   B. Liquidity and Capital Resources35
   C. Research and Development37
   D. Trend Information38
   E. Accounting Principles40
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees44
   A. Directors and Senior Management44
   B. Compensation50
   C. Board Practices50
   D. Employees52
   E. Share Ownership53
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions55
   A. Major Shareholders55
   B. Related Party Transactions56
   C. Interests of Experts and Counsel56


Page

Item 8.   Financial Information56
      A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information56
      B. Significant Changes58
Item 9.   The Offer and Listing58
      A. Offer and Listing Details58
      B. Plan of Distribution59
      C. Markets59
      D. Selling Shareholders59
      E. Dilution60
      F. Expenses of the Issue60
Item 10. Additional Information60
      A. Share Capital60
      B. Memorandum and Articles of Association60
      C. Material Contracts69
      D. Exchange Controls69
      E. Taxation70
      F. Dividends and Paying Agents73
      G. Statement by Experts73
      H. Documents on Display73
      I. Subsidiary Information74
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk74
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities76
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies77
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds77
Item 15. [ Reserved ]77
Item 16. [ Reserved ]77
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements78
Item 18. Financial Statements124
Item 19. Exhibits124


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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

         
Outstanding as of

March 29, 2002March 28, 2002
Title of ClassMarch 31, 2000March 30, 2000
(Japan Time)(New York Time)



Common Stock - 50 yen par value per share2,062,671,3092,138,514,603
American Depositary Shares, each
representing 10 shares1 share of common stock3,995,61895,275,587

Indicate by check mark whether the Company (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [  ].

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Company has elected to follow.

Item 17. [X] Item 18. [  ].

All information contained in this Report is as of March 31, 20002002 or for the year ended March 31, 20002002 (fiscal 2000)2002) unless the context otherwise indicates.

The noon buying rate for yen in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on July 17, 20008, 2002 was 108.53118.66 yen = U.S.$1.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

AnyThis annual report includes forward–looking statements with respect to Matsushita’s current plans, estimates, strategies(within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and beliefs in this Annual Report, other than thoseSection 21E of historical fact, are forward-looking statementsthe U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) about the future performance of Matsushita and its Groupgroup companies which(the Matsushita Group). To the extent that statements in this annual report do not relate to historical or current facts, they constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’sthe current assumptions and beliefs of the Matsushita Group in light of the information currently available to it, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and uncertainties. Actual eventsother factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the Matsushita Group’s actual results, may differperformance, achievements or financial position to be materially different from those anticipatedany future results, performance, achievements or financial position expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Matsushita undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements after the date of this annual report (July 2002). Investors are advised to consult any further disclosures by Matsushita in these statements.its subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and its other filings.

Potential


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The risks, uncertainties and uncertaintiesother factors referred to above include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, such asparticularly consumer spending and privatecorporate capital expenditures; trendsexpenditures in major economies in the world, including Japan, the United States, Europe, Japan and other Asian countries; volatility in demand for electronic equipment and components from business and industrial customers, as well as consumers in many product and geographical markets; currency exchange rate fluctuations, notably between the yen, the U.S. dollar, the euro,Euro, Asian currencies and other currencies in which the Matsushita Group operates its businessbusinesses, or in which Matsushita’s assets and liabilities of the Matsushita Group are denominated; direct and indirect restrictions imposed by other countries; fluctuations in market pricesthe ability of securities in whichthe Matsushita has holdings; and Matsushita’s ability to maintain its strength in many product and geographical areas, and Matsushita’s abilityGroup to respond to rapid technological changes through such means asand changing consumer preferences with timely and cost-effective introductions of new product introductions,products in a marketmarkets that isare highly competitive in terms of both price and technology, which is characteristictechnology; the ability of the industryMatsushita Group to realize expected benefits of various restructuring activities in its business and organization, including the share exchanges with five subsidiaries currently in progress; the ability of the Matsushita Group to achieve its business objectives through joint ventures and other collaborative agreements with other companies; the ability of the Matsushita Group to maintain competitive strength in many product and geographical areas; any changes in the Matsushita Group’s financial and operational position or business environment due to its business restructuring; current and potential, direct and indirect trade restrictions imposed by other countries; and fluctuations in market prices of securities and other assets in which the Company primarily belongs.Matsushita Group has holdings, as well as future changes or revisions to accounting policies, or accounting rules.


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PART I

Item 1. DescriptionIdentity of BusinessDirectors, Senior Management and Advisers

GENERALNot applicable

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, unless the context otherwise requires, “Matsushita” or the “Company” refers to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Item 2. Offer Statistics and its consolidated subsidiaries as a group) is one of the world’s leading producers of electronic and electric products.Expected Timetable

The Company was incorporated in Japan on December 15, 1935 under the laws of Japan as Matsushita Denki Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha as the successor to an unincorporated enterprise founded in 1918 by the late Konosuke Matsushita. Mr. Matsushita led the Company with his corporate philosophy of contributing to the peace, happiness and prosperity of mankind through the supply of quality consumer goods. The Company’s business expanded rapidly with the recovery and growth of the Japanese economy after World War II, as it met rising demand for consumer electric and electronic products, starting with washing machines, black-and-white television sets (TVs) and refrigerators. Matsushita continued to grow during the following decades by expanding its product range to include color TVs, hi-fi components, air conditioners, video tape recorders, industrial equipment and information and communications equipment, as well as electronic components. Overseas sales and production expansion were also significant factors for the growth in these decades.Not applicable

Matsushita currently offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and components for consumer, business and industrial use based on sophisticated electronics and precision technology. Most of the Company’s products are marketed under “Panasonic,” “National” and “Technics” brand names, with some of its subsidiaries using brand names such as “Quasar,” “Victor” and “JVC.”Item 3. Key Information

In the 1990s, Matsushita placed increasing emphasis on technological development and the use of advanced electronics technology in every phase of life, thus steering the Company to achieve further growth in the next century. In particular, the Company has been expanding its development activities in such areas as next-generation audiovisual (AV) equipment, multimedia products, and advanced electronic components and devices, many items of which incorporate digital technology. Its current priority product areas include digital television systems, semiconductors, mobile communications equipment, optical discs and display devices, all of which form the basis for growth in the evolving digital networking age.A. Selected Financial Data

                     
  Yen (billions), except per share amounts and yen exchange rates
  
  Fiscal year ended March 31,
  
  2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
  
 
 
 
 
Income Statement Data:
                    
Net sales  6,877   7,682   7,299   7,640   7,891 
Income (loss) before income taxes  (548)  101   219   202   356 
Net income (loss)  (431)  42   100   24   99 
Per common share:                    
     Net income (loss):                    
     Basic  (207.65)  19.96   48.35   11.60   47.04 
     Diluted  (207.65)  19.56   46.36   11.58   44.01 
     Dividends  12.50   12.50   14.00   12.50   13.00 
   ($0.100)  ($0.116)  ($0.125)  ($0.097)  ($0.107)
Balance Sheet Data:
                    
Total assets  7,627   8,156   7,955   8,055   8,661 
Long-term debt  692   542   644   709   690 
Stockholders’ equity  3,243   3,773   3,684   3,642   3,854 
Common stock  259   211   210   209   209 
Number of shares                    
issued at year-end (thousands)  2,138,515   2,079,573   2,062,671   2,062,345   2,112,318 
Yen exchange rates per U.S. dollar:
                    
    Year-end  132.70   125.54   102.73   118.43   133.29 
    Average  125.05   110.60   111.35   128.19   122.78 
    High  115.89   104.19   101.53   108.83   111.42 
    Low  134.77   125.54   124.45   147.14   133.99 
                         
Yen exchange rates for Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun.
each month during the 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002
previous six months: 
 
 
 
 
 
    High  130.93   132.26   127.07   128.13   123.08   119.38 
    Low  134.64   134.77   133.46   133.40   128.66   125.64 

In December 1990, the Company acquired MCA INC. (MCA), a leading U.S. entertainment company, for approximately U.S.$6.1 billion.

In May 1993, the Company and N.V. Philips’ Gloeilampenfabrieken, now Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Philips), terminated their joint venture company, Matsushita Electronics Corporation (MEC), and the Company acquired Philips’ 35% equity share in MEC for 185 billion yen, thus making MEC a wholly-owned subsidiary.

In June 1995, the Company sold an 80% equity interest in MCA, now named Universal Studios, Inc., to The Seagram Company Ltd. for approximately U.S.$5.7 billion, leaving the Company with a minority interest.


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In April 1997, the Matsushita parent company established a new organizational structure, setting up four internal divisional companies — responsible for AVC (audiovisual and computer products), home appliances and household equipment, air conditioners, and electric motors — by grouping a majority of its some 50 product divisions. This step was taken in order to facilitate strategic planning, effective decision making and more efficient allocation of resources across a broader range than that afforded by each single product division.
Notes:1.Dividends per share reflect those paid during each fiscal year. The dollar amounts of the dividends per share have been computed at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective payment dates.
2.Beginning in fiscal 2001, the Company adopted Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and accordingly, prior year figures have been restated to reflect this change.
3.Fiscal 1999 and 1998 net income represent amounts after subtracting the impact of approximately 42 billion yen and 28 billion yen, respectively, attributable to adjustments of net deferred tax assets to reflect reductions in Japan’s corporate income tax rate.

In March 1998, the Company announced a package of new management initiatives aimed at better sharing interests with shareholders. As part of this package, management implemented with approval at the annual shareholders’ meeting in late June 1998, repurchase of 50 million shares of the parent company’s common stock from the stock market for retirement, spending approximately 99 billion yen of retained earnings during fiscal 1999. At the same time, as an incentive to Board members and employees toward the enhancement of corporate value, the parent company introduced stock option plans for Board members and select senior executives, granting them rights to purchase 2,000 to 10,000 common shares each (similar option plans have been implemented in fiscal 2000 and 2001), and established a stock-price-linked remuneration plan, under which modest cash payments are to be offered once a year in addition to ordinary salary and bonus payments to employees manager-level or above (effective through fiscal 2001).
B.Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable

In October 1999, EPCOS AG, a German electronic components joint venture of the Company and Siemens AG of Germany, had its initial public offering, listing its shares on German and U.S. stock exchanges. Following EPCOS AG’s public offering, Matsushita’s 45% (held by a subsidiary) and Siemens AG’s 55% holdings in EPCOS AG were reduced to nearly 12.5%, respectively. Matsushita realized a 59 billion yen gain from the sale of its shares in EPCOS AG.
C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable

On April 1, 2000, the Company made Matsushita Refrigeration Company and Wakayama Precision Company wholly-owned subsidiaries, by means of share exchanges. As a result of the share exchanges, the Company issued a total of 16,321,187 shares of its common stock to shareholders of the respective companies.
D.Risk Factors
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, unless the context otherwise requires, “Matsushita” or the “Company” refers to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries as a group), best known for its brand names, such as “Panasonic” and “National,” is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electronic and electric products for a wide range of consumer, business and industrial uses, as well as a wide variety of components. Based in Osaka, Japan, the Company recorded consolidated net sales of approximately 6,877 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 (“fiscal 2002”). Over the past eight decades, the Company has grown from a small domestic household electrical equipment manufacturer into a comprehensive electronic and electric equipment, systems and components manufacturer operating internationally. Of the fiscal 2002 net sales, approximately one-half was represented by sales in Japan, with the rest by overseas sales.
Primarily because of the business areas and geographical areas where it operates and the highly competitive nature of the industry to which it belongs, Matsushita is exposed to a variety of risks and uncertainties in carrying out its businesses, including, but not limited to, the following:


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Weakness in the Japanese and global economies has significantly reduced demand for the products of Matsushita, which trend may continue in the future
The Japanese economy has experienced a prolonged recession since the early 1990s, which has become increasingly serious. In addition, the global economy has taken a downturn, concurrently with setbacks in the global information technology industry. These recessionary conditions have resulted in sluggish consumer spending and weakened corporate capital expenditures in many industries. For example, the markets for mobile communications equipment and components and devices for the information technology industry, on which Matsushita is substantially dependent for its growth, have been particularly hard hit. Due to these conditions and restructuring expenses under the Value Creation 21 plan, Matsushita incurred a significant net loss for the year ended March 31, 2002. Matsushita currently does not foresee a rapid turnaround in the Japanese or global economy in the near term. These conditions may continue in the short- to mid-term, thereby further negatively affecting Matsushita’s businesses.
Matsushita’s mid-term business plan may not produce the expected results
Largely as a result of the recessionary conditions in the Japanese and global economies described above, Matsushita incurred substantial losses in fiscal 2002. Furthermore, the business environment in which Matsushita operates has evolved so dramatically in recent years that Matsushita’s traditional business model, namely having each product division and subsidiary operate autonomously in each product area, does not necessarily provide as many advantages as it once did. In response to these problems, starting in April 2001, Matsushita has been implementing its mid-term business plan called Value Creation 21. The plan consists of two key elements: structural reforms with an emphasis on the pursuit of higher management efficiency for customer satisfaction, and the pursuit of a new growth strategy. Matsushita, however, may not be successful in achieving all of the goals set out in the plan or in realizing the benefits that it expects from implementing the plan because of external and internal factors as further mentioned below.
The restructuring of Matsushita’s businesses may not bring the improved efficiency, cost reduction and growth that Matsushita aims for
Under the plan, Matsushita has been restructuring its traditional, decentralized product division set-up by establishing several centers that provide manufacturing services commonly used by different product divisions; restructuring its organizations for semiconductors and display devices; integrating some of its manufacturing units in Japan and overseas; reforming its consumer sales and distribution structure in Japan; and implementing employment restructuring initiatives. As an additional business restructuring measure, Matsushita is implementing share exchanges with five of its majority-owned subsidiaries to transform them into wholly-owned subsidiaries of Matsushita, effective on October 1, 2002, followed by a major Groupwide reorganization (see Section A of Item 4 – Information on the Company). By integrating their management, Matsushita seeks to create a corporate structure in which it will be able to conduct its consolidated Groupwide businesses speedily and efficiently, and to achieve synergies excepted from such restructuring. Matsushita may not, however, be able to improve efficiency and reduce costs and realize growth through these measures, due to unexpected additional reorganization expenses, improper allocation of operational resources or other unpredictable factors.


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Matsushita may not succeed in executing its growth strategies outside of Japan
The Value Creation 21 plan includes expanding Matsushita’s businesses in markets outside of Japan. In many of these markets, Matsushita may face risks such as political instability, economic uncertainty, cultural and religious differences and labor relations, as well as foreign exchange risks. Matsushita may also face barriers in commercial and business customs in foreign countries, including difficulties in timely collection of accounts receivable or in building and expanding relationships with potential customers, subcontractors or parts suppliers. Matsushita may also experience various political, legal on other restrictions, including restrictions on foreign investment or the repatriation of profits on invested capital, nationalization of local industry, changes in export or import restrictions or foreign exchange controls, and changes in the tax system or rate of taxation in countries where Matsushita operates business. With respect to the products exported overseas, tariffs, other barriers or shipping costs may make Matsushita’s products less competitive. Finally, expanding its overseas business may require significant investments long before Matsushita realizes returns on such investments, and increased investments may result in expenses growing at a faster rate than revenues.
Matsushita is subject to intense competition in areas in which it operates, and this may adversely affect its ability to maintain its gross margins
Matsushita produces a broad range of products and therefore faces many different types of competitors, from large international companies to relatively small, rapidly growing, and highly specialized organizations. Matsushita may choose not to fund or invest in one or more of its businesses to the same degree as its competitors in those businesses do, or it may not be able to do so in a timely manner or at all. These competitors may have greater financial, technical, and marketing resources available to them than Matsushita has in the respective businesses in which they compete.
Rapid declines in product prices may adversely affect Matsushita’s financial results
While some of the factors that drive competition vary by product area, price is a factor relevant in substantially all of Matsushita’s businesses. For the year ending March 31, 2003, Matsushita expects prices in many product areas in which it deals to decline significantly or more rapidly than in recent fiscal years. Matsushita believes that this trend will affect its businesses especially those of its AVC Networks category, which contributed approximately 59% of Matsushita’s net sales for the year ended March 31, 2002, and in the area of Matsushita’s Components and Devices category, which contributed approximately 20% of its net sales during the same period.
Matsushita may not be able to keep pace with technological changes and develop new products and services in a timely manner to remain competitive
Matsushita may fail to introduce new products and services in response to technological changes in a timely manner. Some of Matsushita’s core businesses, such as consumer digital electronics and key components and devices, are concentrated in industries where technological innovation is the central competitive factor. Matsushita continuously faces the challenge of developing and introducing viable and innovative new products. Matsushita must predict with reasonable accuracy both future demand and new technologies that will be available to meet such demand. If Matsushita fails to do so, it will not be able to compete in new markets and this could adversely affect Matsushita’s financial results and growth prospects.


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Matsushita may not be able to develop product formats which would prevail asde factostandards
Matsushita has been forming alliances and partnerships with other major manufacturers to strengthen the development of product formats, such as next-generation home and mobile networking products and software systems. Despite these efforts by Matsushita, its competitors may be the ones who develop thede factostandards for future products.
The alliances with, and strategic investments in, third parties undertaken by Matsushita may not produce positive results
Matsushita develops its business through forming alliances or joint ventures with, and making strategic investments in, other companies, including investments in venture companies. Matsushita’s key alliances are described in Item 4. Matsushita’s reliance on the strategy of partnering with third parties is increasing. They are crucial to Matsushita’s goal of introducing new products and services, including those using digital network technologies. Matsushita does not, however, control these partners, who may make decisions regarding their business undertakings with Matsushita which may be contrary to Matsushita’s interests.
Matsushita may be subject to product liability claims that could result in significant direct or indirect costs
There is a risk that defects may occur in Matsushita’s products and services. Many of Matsushita’s products and services are for so-called “mission-critical” uses — where the consequences of defects would be severe — exposing Matsushita in some cases to greater risks than those posed by ordinary retail products. The occurrence of defects could make Matsushita liable for damages caused by the defects, including consequential damages. Negative publicity concerning these problems could also make it harder for Matsushita to market its products and services.
Currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect Matsushita’s financial results
Matsushita is exposed to risks of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Matsushita’s consolidated financial statements, which are presented in Japanese yen, are affected by foreign exchange rate changes. These changes affect Matsushita’s international business transactions and costs and prices of Matsushita’s products and services in overseas countries in relation to the yen. They can also affect the yen value of Matsushita’s investments in overseas assets and liabilities. Although Matsushita is taking measures to reduce or hedge against foreign currency exchange risks, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may hurt its businesses, financial conditions or results of operations. Most typically, if the yen strengthens, Matsushita’s domestically manufactured products become less attractive to foreign purchasers in terms of price.


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Matsushita may not be able to successfully recruit and retain skilled employees, particularly scientific and technical personnel
Matsushita may fail to recruit skilled employees, particularly scientific and technical personnel, which are limited in number. Matsushita’s future success depends largely on its ability to attract and retain certain key personnel, including scientific, technical and management personnel. Matsushita anticipates that it will need to hire additional skilled personnel in all areas of its business. Industry demand for skilled employees, however, exceeds the number of personnel available and the competition for attracting and retaining these employees, especially scientific and technical employees, is intense. Because of this intense competition for these skilled employees, Matsushita may be unable to retain its existing personnel or attract additional qualified employees in the future. If Matsushita is unable to retain skilled employees and attract additional qualified employees to keep up with its future business needs, this may adversely affect its business and results of operations.
Matsushita is dependent on the ability of third parties to deliver parts, components and services in adequate quality and quantity in a timely manner
Matsushita’s manufacturing operations depend on obtaining deliveries of raw materials, components, equipment and other supplies in adequate quality and quantity in a timely manner. Since the products Matsushita purchases are often complex, it may be difficult for Matsushita to substitute one supplier for another or one component for another in a timely manner or at all. Some components are only available from a limited number of suppliers. Although Matsushita believes that it selects only reliable suppliers, shortages could occur in critical materials due to interruption of supply or increased industry demand and may adversely affect Matsushita’s operations.
Matsushita may fail to protect its proprietary intellectual property or face a claim of intellectual property infringement by a third party, and may lose its intellectual property rights on key technologies or be liable for significant damages
Matsushita’s success depends on its ability to obtain patents, licenses and other intellectual property rights covering its products and product design and manufacturing processes. The proceedings for obtaining intellectual property protection can be long and expensive. Patents may not be granted on currently pending or future applications or may not be of sufficient scope or strength to provide Matsushita with enough protection or commercial advantage. In addition, effective copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in some countries, and Matsushita’s trade secrets may be vulnerable to disclosure or misappropriation by employees, contractors or others. Competitors or other third parties may also develop technologies that are protected by patents and other intellectual property rights, which make such technologies unavailable or available only on terms unfavorable to Matsushita. Litigation may also be necessary to enforce Matsushita’s intellectual property rights or to defend against intellectual property infringement claims brought against Matsushita by third parties.
Matsushita is exposed to the risk that its customers, including those to whom it has provided vendor financing, may encounter financial difficulties
Matsushita may incur losses if some of its customers encounter financial difficulties. Matsushita provides vendor financing to its customers. As more businesses utilize vendor financing, Matsushita may also provide increased vendor financing in the future. In addition, many of Matsushita’s customers purchase products and services from it on payment terms that do not provide for immediate payment. If customers to whom Matsushita has extended or guaranteed vendor financing, or from whom it has substantial accounts receivable, encounter financial difficulties and are unable to make payments on time, Matsushita’s business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.


- 9 -

Governmental regulations may limit Matsushita’s activities or increase its operating costs
Matsushita is subject to governmental regulations in Japan and other countries in which it conducts its business, including environmental laws and regulations, governmental approvals required for conducting business and investments, laws and regulations governing the radio telecommunications businesses and electric product safety, national security-related laws and regulations and export/import laws and regulations, as well as commercial, antitrust, patent, product liability, consumer and business taxation laws and regulations. To the extent that Matsushita cannot comply with these laws and regulations, Matsushita’s activities would be limited. In addition, these laws and regulations could increase Matsushita’s operating costs.
Interest rate fluctuations could adversely affect Matsushita’s financial results
Matsushita is exposed to the risk of interest rate fluctuations, which, despite the measures taken by Matsushita to hedge a portion of its exposure to interest rate fluctuations, may affect its overall operational costs and the value of its financial assets and liabilities.
The decrease in the value of Japanese stocks may adversely affect Matsushita’s financial results
Matsushita holds Japanese stocks as part of its investment securities. The value of most of these stocks, however, dropped substantially over the past year due to the decline of the Japanese economy. For example, Matsushita recorded a loss of 93 billion yen in its results of operations for the year ended March 31, 2002 related to other than temporary declines in its investment securities.

Item 4. Information on the Company

A.History and Development of the Company

GENERAL

The Company was incorporated in Japan on December 15, 1935 under the laws of Japan as Matsushita Denki Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Address : 1006, Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka 571-8501, Japan. Phone : +81-6-6908-1121 / Agent : Mr. Shigeru Nakatani, President of Panasonic Finance (America), Inc.) as the successor to an unincorporated enterprise founded in 1918 by the late Konosuke Matsushita. Mr. Matsushita led the Company with his corporate philosophy of contributing to the peace, happiness and prosperity of mankind through the supply of quality consumer electrical and electronic goods. The Company’s business expanded rapidly with the recovery and growth of the Japanese economy after World War II, as it met rising demand for consumer electric and electronic products, starting with washing machines, black-and-white television sets (TVs) and refrigerators. During the 1950s, Matsushita expanded its operations by establishing mass production and mass sales structures to meet increasing domestic demand, while also creating subsidiaries, making acquisitions and forming alliances. During the 1960s, Matsushita expanded its overseas businesses, and its products started getting world-wide recognition.


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During the global recession caused by the first oil crisis in 1973, Matsushita strengthened its structure and overseas business relations. The advent and popularity of the video cassette recorder (VCR) from the late 1970s enabled Matsushita to receive worldwide recognition as a global consumer electronics manufacturer. In the 1980s, Matsushita further worked to evolve from a consumer products manufacturer to a comprehensive electronics products manufacturer, expanding its business in the areas of information and communications technology and industrial equipment and components. Since the 1990s, Matsushita has been emphasizing technological development and the use of advanced technology in every phase of life. In particular, Matsushita has been expanding its development activities in such areas as next-generation audiovisual (AV) equipment, multimedia products, and advanced electronic components and devices, many of which incorporate digital technology.
Matsushita currently offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and components for consumer, business and industrial use. Most of the Company’s products are marketed under the “Panasonic” or “National” brand names. The Company also uses the “Technics” brand name for certain hi-fi products, with some of its subsidiaries using other brand names such as “Quasar,” “Victor” and “JVC.” To form the basis for growth in the evolving digital networking age, the Company continues to emphasize technological development and the creation of new businesses, identifying several priority areas, such as digital network systems, mobile communications, data storage devices, environmental systems and key components and devices. The Company is also striving to develop new service-oriented businesses, such as systems solutions and “e-Net” business, as areas of potential growth over the mid-term.
In June 1995, Matsushita sold an 80% equity interest in MCA (now named Universal Studios, Inc.), which the Company purchased in December 1990, to The Seagram Company Ltd. for approximately U.S.$5.7 billion, leaving the Company with a minority interest.
In April 1997, the Matsushita parent company established four internal divisional companies – responsible for AVC (audiovisual and computer products), home appliances and household equipment, air conditioners, and electric motors – by grouping a majority of its some 50 product divisions, in order to facilitate strategic planning, effective decision making and more efficient allocation of resources across a broader range than that afforded by each single product division.
In March 1998, the Company announced a package of new management initiatives aimed at better sharing interests with shareholders. As part of this package, management implemented, with approval at the annual shareholders’ meeting in June 1998, the repurchase of 50 million shares of the Company’s common stock, spending approximately 99 billion yen during fiscal 1999. At the same time, as an incentive to Board members and employees toward the enhancement of corporate value, the Company introduced stock option plans for Board members and select senior executives, and established a stock-price-linked remuneration plan, under which modest cash payments have been offered to employees manager-level or above in addition to ordinary salary and bonus payments.
In October 1999, EPCOS AG, a German electronic components joint venture of the Company and Siemens AG of Germany, had its initial public offering, listing its shares on German and U.S. stock exchanges. Following EPCOS AG’s public offering, Matsushita’s 45% (held by a subsidiary) and Siemens AG’s 55% holdings in EPCOS AG were reduced to nearly 12.5%, respectively. Matsushita realized a 59 billion yen gain from the sale of its shares in EPCOS AG in fiscal 2000.


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In April 2000, the Company made its majority-owned subsidiaries, Matsushita Refrigeration Company and Wakayama Precision Company, into wholly-owned subsidiaries, by means of share exchanges. As a result of the share exchanges, the Company issued 16,321,187 shares of its Common Stock to shareholders of the respective companies.
In June 2000, Kunio Nakamura, new President of the Company, established the Company’s new three-year business plan, called Value Creation 21, which was formally implemented in April 2001. The Value Creation 21 plan was designed to take full advantage of the opportunities arising in the evolving digital networking society. Its objective is to transform Matsushita into a company that meets the needs of the 21st century through structural reforms and growth strategies with emphasis on enhancing growth potential, profitability and capital efficiency, thereby ensuring the Company’s continued contribution to society.
During fiscal 2002, the Company implemented a series of structural reforms under the Value Creation 21 plan, such as the restructuring of its domestic consumer sales and distribution structure, management initiatives through the use of information technology, such as supply chain management (SCM), the selective integration of businesses and manufacturing locations, manufacturing reforms, such as the introduction of the cell-style production, the reform of the Company-wide R&D structure to concentrate on development in strategic product or core technology areas, and employment restructuring initiatives including the regional-based employee renumeration system and special early retirement programs.
In April 2001, the Company absorbed Matsushita Electronics Corporation (MEC), its wholly-owned subsidiary, by merger to implement unified operational management in such key device areas as semiconductors and display devices. By establishing new internal divisional companies directly under the control of the parent company, namely the Semiconductor, Display Device and Lighting companies, the development, manufacturing and sales functions that were previously disbursed between Matsushita and MEC for each of these strategic businesses have been integrated.
As an additional structural reform aimed at achieving new growth under the Value Creation 21 plan, on January 10, 2002, Matsushita and five of its majority-owned subsidiaries (Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd., Kyushu Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd., Matsushita Seiko, Ltd., Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Industries, Ltd. and Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems, Inc.) announced preliminary agreements to implement share exchanges to transform these subsidiaries into wholly-owned subsidiaries of Matsushita, effective October 1, 2002. The definitive agreements concluded between Matsushita and each of these subsidiaries have been approved by respective companies’ shareholders’ meetings on June 27, 2002. Following the completion of the share exchanges, Matsushita intends to implement, early in January 2003, the major reorganization of four of the five subsidiaries and Matsushita’s related internal divisional companies and sales divisions into seven new operating entities. These seven operating entities are tentatively named: Panasonic AVC Networks Company, Panasonic Communications & Imaging Co., Ltd., Panasonic Mobile Communications & Networks Co., Ltd., Panasonic Automotive Systems Company, Panasonic System Solutions Company, Matsushita Ecology Systems Co., Ltd. and Panasonic Factory Solutions Co., Ltd. Through this reorganization, Matsushita seeks to reestablish its business domains as strategic units, thereby achieving higher management efficiency and accelerated growth on a consolidated Groupwide basis. The reorganization will be implemented with focus on the elimination of duplication of business lines and of counterproductive competition within the consolidated Group, the unification and concentration of research and development resources, and the establishment of a totally integrated operational structure from development and manufacturing to sales in each domain for full customer satisfaction.


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In April 2002, Matsushita and Toshiba Corporation established a joint venture company for the development, manufacture and sale of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels and next-generation display devices. Of the joint venture company’s initial capital of 10 billion yen, 60% was invested by Toshiba and 40% by Matsushita. The joint venture is expected to become one of the world’s leading LCD panel manufacturers, combining Matsushita’s fast-response LCD image processing technology, Toshiba’s technology of low-temperature polysilicon LCD panel manufacturing, and both companies’ experiences and technologies in the fields of consumer products, personal computers (PCs) and communication devices. The joint venture will start production of low-temperature polysilicon LCD panels in July 2002, to add to the existing LCD panel operations transferred from Matsushita and Toshiba.

CAPITAL INVESTMENT

Recognizing that building advanced technologies, equipment and processes is essential to the cost-efficient and speedy manufacture of sophisticated electronic products and devices, Matsushita has been attentive in planning plant and equipment investment to achieve higher competitiveness and investment efficiency. Besides investment in production automation and energy-saving facilities, increasing emphasis has been placed on the expansion of facilities in such business areas as key components and devices, digital AV equipment and mobile communications equipment.
Total capital investment (excluding intangibles) amounted to 338 billion yen, 504 billion yen and 309 billion yen for fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. The decrease for fiscal 2002 mainly reflects a severe business environment, as well as the fact that a series of major investment has peaked out in such key components and devices areas as semiconductors.
For the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2003 (“fiscal 2003”), Matsushita expects its capital investment to decrease to approximately 240 billion yen as the Company places emphasis on higher asset efficiency, better utilizing existing facilities. Of the projected total amount, nearly 160 billion yen will be invested in facilities in Japan and the remaining 80 billion yen overseas. This investment will be funded primarily through internal sources.


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B.   Business Overview

SALES CATEGORIESBY PRODUCT CATEGORY

Matsushita is engaged in the production and sales of electronic and electric products in a broad array of business areas. The following table sets forth the Company’s sales breakdown by product categories for the last three fiscal years:
Matsushita is engaged in the production and sale of electronic and electric products in a broad array of business areas. The following table sets forth the Company’s sales breakdown by product category for the last three fiscal years;

                           
Yen (billions)

Fiscal year ended March 31,

200019991998



Consumer products
Video and audio equipment1,70623%1,89525%1,88524%
Home appliances and
    household equipment1,306181,394181,47418






Subtotal3,012413,289433,35942
Industrial products
Information and
    communications equipment2,022282,150282,26429
Industrial equipment73510717107019






Subtotal2,757382,867382,96538
Components1,530211,484191,56720






Total7,299100%7,640100%7,891100%






                           
    Yen (billions) (%)
    
    Fiscal year ended March 31,
    
    2002 2001 2000
    
 
 
AVC Networks                        
 Video and audio equipment  1,797   26%  1,756   23%  1,706   23%
 Information and communications equipment  2,255   33   2,524   33   2,375   33 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
  Subtotal  4,052   59   4,280   56   4,081   56 
 
Home Appliances  1,178   17   1,316   17   1,306   18 
Industrial Equipment  289   4   468   6   382   5 
Components and Devices  1,358   20   1,618   21   1,530   21 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
  Total  6,877   100%  7,682   100%  7,299   100%
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Consumer Products

Consumer products is Matsushita’s traditional business area and the Company maintains a high competitive edge in Japan and overseas markets. Sales in this category, consisting of video and audio equipment and home appliances and household equipment, totaled 3,012 billion yen and represented 41% of total Company sales in fiscal 2000. Details of major products are as follows:

Note:Effective fiscal 2002, the Company reclassified its former Consumer, Industrial and Components categories into four new categories: AVC Networks, Home Appliances, Industrial Equipment, and Components and Devices. Prior years figures have been restated to reflect this change.
AVC Networks
The creation of AVC Networks as a new category is Matsushita’s response to the new business environment created by the evolution of digital networks such as the integration of broadcasting and communications and of those with the Internet. Matsushita is seeking new growth, in particular, by enhancing the levels of networkable digital products and interlinking them to develop and promote convenient home networking environments that Matsushita expects will be centered around digital TVs.
Video and Audio Equipment

This category includes home-use videocassette

Principal products in this sector include TVs, VCRs, camcorders, DVD players and recorders, (VCRs), camcorders, TVs, audio equipment, and newly expandingpre-recorded audio and video software. Matsushita maintains a leading market share in the domestic and overseas markets for a number of major products in this field. Over the last three fiscal years, however, sales in this category did not show marked growth due to such factors as slow consumer spending, especially in Japan, and intensified global price competition, notably in the area of low-end AV equipment. Instead, increasing emphasis has been placed on digital versatile disc (DVD) players. An established globalAV equipment and, most recently, on networkable AV equipment to make Matsushita a leader in VCRs,the approaching home networking age.


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For TVs, Matsushita hasproduces a broad range of home VCRs including the S-VHS series with 5-times recording mode and the D-VHS, digital VHS VCR. In camcorders, the Company produces the VHS-C, compatible with VHS video players, and digital camcorder models along with hard disk editors for video editing, and video printers.


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Matsushita’s broad range of TVs is designed to meet demand in all segments of the Japanesedomestic and international markets. The CompanyFor the mainstay cathode-ray-tube (CRT) TVs, Matsushita has shifted production of conventional CRT models from Japan to Southeast Asian and other overseas factories. Domestic production is currently expanding itsnow concentrated on flat-surface CRT models. Also, in recent years, Matsushita has gradually expanded production of high-picture-quality, high definition models, as well as flat-screen TVs such as LCD TVs and set-top boxes (STBs), by concentrating on flat-screenplasma display panel (PDP) TVs. In October 2001, Matsushita introduced a new range of LCD TVs with high picture quality, suchbuilt-in DVD players. Volume production of PDP TVs began in the summer of 2001 through a newly established manufacturing joint venture in Osaka with Toray Industries, Inc. Matsushita is also particularly active in the growing market for digital TVs. In the two years ended March 31, 2002, Matsushita captured a top share of domestic broadcast satellite digital TV and set-top-box (STB) production, including production on what is known as an original equipment manufacture basis, or OEM basis. Matsushita believes that this success was mainly attributable to its long commitment to research and development in digital TVs.

To prepare for the launch in Japan of digital TV-based e-Net services in 2002, Matsushita, in cooperation with Toshiba, Hitachi and other Japanese companies, including broadcasting networks and content providers, established eP Corporation to develop a common platform as the progressive-scanning flat-surface T(tau)-series compatiblebasis for interactive TV, which is also linked with Broadcast Satellite (BS)the Internet, to substantially enhance the convenience of TV. The eP-platform will cover not only multiple digital TV broadcasting, set to begin in December 2000 in Japan. Overseas, the Company supplies TVsprogramming and data providing services but also stay-at-home shopping and banking, e-mail and Internet browsing and other interactive services via TV with an STB incorporating a hard disk drive (HDD). In June 2002, Matsushita started sales of STBs for U.S.digital TVs, which can accommodate broadcast satellite and communications satellite digital TV services and other interactive information services through the eP-platform, and which contain an HDD for storing large-capacity digital data. Furthermore, in view of the planned start in 2003 of digital terrestrial TV broadcasting in Japan and in Europe supplies interactive STBspreparation for the coming broadband communication age, Matsushita is developing more advanced Internet-protocol TVs.
In the VCR and video camera area, Matsushita has been accelerating digitization, introducing digital VHS VCR decks and expanding its range of digital camcorders and digital still cameras, some of which incorporate the secure digital memory card mentioned below for memory storage and enhanced networking convenience. Of these, new models of digital still cameras, which benefit from the world-renowned optical technology of Leica Camera AG, achieved an immediate market success upon its introduction in the second half of fiscal 2002.
As for DVDs, Matsushita offers a wide range of products from standard DVD players to British Interactive Broadcastingportable models equipped with LCDs. In June 2000, Matsushita launched DVD recorders, and has since strengthened this product line by introducing the industry’s most competitively-priced model in June 2001 and the industry’s first DVD recorder with a built-in HDD in December 2001. Matsushita also formed an alliance with Nintendo Co., Ltd. (BiB). The Companyand introduced a new DVD player which is also jointly developing, with OpenTV Corporation, multimedia hardware and software compatible with European interactive digital TV standards. Matsushita also produces liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs and plasma display TVs.

In DVD players, Matsushita, a pioneer in this industry, boasts a product line ranging from standard to high-end progressive-scanning models, and expanded its portable LCD-equipped models by introducing a wide-screen LCD TV/DVD combination unit with enhanced picture quality. The Company will also launch DVD video recorders and DVD-Audio players this summer. Leading the DVD disc production industry, Matsushita continues to expand its facilities and has established joint ventures with Universal Music Group and Eastman Kodak Company.

“Nintendo GameCube.”

In the area of audio equipment, Matsushita produces a large variety of products, including such digital products as compact disc (CD) and Mini Disc (MD) players, radio receivers, CD radio cassette recorders tape recorders and portable headphoneMini Disc players, as well as radio receivers, tape recorders, portable headphone players, stereo hi-fi equipment and electronic musical instruments.

Matsushita expanded its range of new audio equipment in recent years, with the launch of DVD-Audio players, and a series of products using the secure digital memory card, such as an ultra-compact portable headphone player. The Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card, an ultracompact mobilesecure digital memory card is a postage stamp-sized data storage device was developednow supported by more than 400 corporate members of the Secure Digital Association worldwide.


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Information and Communications Equipment
Information equipment includes products such as personal computers (PCs), PC displays, HDDs, CD-ROM drives, DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM drives, DVD-ROM and CD-R/RW combination drives, and other optical disk drives, copying machines and printers. CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives are devices which permit users to read only the data contained on CDs or DVDs, while CD-R/RW and DVD-RAM drives permit users to read and write data onto them. Communications equipment includes products such as telephones, cellular phones, other mobile communications equipment, digital private branch exchanges and facsimile equipment. Products in cooperation with Toshiba Corporationthis sector also include other systems equipment, such as cable TV systems, car AV equipment, broadcast- and SanDisk Corporation. business-use AV equipment and systems, large-screen visual equipment and communications network-related equipment. This has been Matsushita’s fastest growth category during the last decade, led by mobile communications equipment and PC-related equipment.
Matsushita is a worldwide leader in such business lines as optical disk drives, facsimile equipment, broadcast-use digital VCR equipment and airline in-flight AV systems. It also maintains a leading position in the Japanese cellular phone industry. For the last three fiscal years, however, this category’s business has shown some volatility due to such factors as increased price competition in the area of PC peripherals and the recent setback in global demand for information technology-related products such as PCs and cellular phones.
With respect to PCs, Matsushita continued to upgrade its notebook models over the last several fiscal years. Matsushita launched an A5-sized notebook PC which can interface with charge coupled device cameras and cellular phones and, mainly for overseas markets, ruggedized notebook PCs built to resist shock, and thereby supporting such uses as police field activities in North America. This was followed in the year ended March 31, 2000 by the introduction of ultra slim models with added features such as wireless communication. In the year ended March 31, 2001, adding to its slim notebook series, Matsushita introduced an AV-oriented notebook PC that links easily to digital AV equipment to better meet the needs of the digital networking age. In the year ended March 31, 2002, Matsushita introduced what is currently marketing the wristwatch-shaped SD audio headphone player asworld’s lightest (960 grams) B5-sized notebook PC in Japan.
In the first SD application and plansarea of PC peripherals, Matsushita strengthened its disk drive lineups. In HDDs, Matsushita continued to introduce upgraded models to meet the need for greater data storage capacity and faster processing speed. In the area of optical disk drives, Matsushita expanded its range of slim models for notebook PCs in the year ended March 31, 2000, and in the year ended March 31, 2001, introduced several new multiple disk drive models that gained popularity, including the industry’s slimmest and fastest DVD-ROM and CD-R/RW combination drive. In October 2001, Matsushita developed the world’s first 50-gigabyte blue laser rewritable dual-layer optical disc technology. These blue laser discs have more than 10 times the capacity of conventional rewritable optical disks.
In the area of communications equipment, Matsushita has developed and introduced a number of new mobile communications products with focus on downsizing, ease-of-use and Internet connectivity, in recent years. In the year ended March 31, 2000, Matsushita launched NTT DoCoMo’s popular i-mode cellular handsets equipped with e-mail and Internet browsing capabilities.


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Furthermore, in the year ended March 31, 2001, Matsushita began shipments of base transceiver stations for next-generation, wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) cellular phone services that NTT DoCoMo, Inc. commenced in the year ended March 31, 2002, followed by shipments of W-CDMA handsets, which permit the transmission of moving images and large volumes of data. W-CDMA is the world’s first third-generation wireless voice, image and data transmission services using an arrayadvanced technology which allows service providers to offer faster and higher quality services to their users. In August 2001, Matsushita, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. and NEC Corporation signed an agreement to form a development alliance to strengthen the global expansion of diversetheir technologies and products in third-generation mobile handsets, in particular W-CDMA products for the mobile multimedia market. In spite of this new trend, Matsushita’s sales of cellular phones were down for fiscal 2002, mainly as a result of sharp declines in demand for cellular phones especially in Japan and Europe, with additional negative effects of glitches found in certain models of the Company. To counter this unfavorable business environment, Matsushita launched new Internet-compatible slim folding cellular phones for NTT DoCoMo, with high picture quality, in January 2001 and in June 2002. These models are well-accepted and reestablishing Matsushita’s reputation in the Japanese cellular phone market.
In the area of facsimile equipment, Matsushita marketed in April 2000 a new multifunctional model, featuring facsimile, copier, printer, scanner and telephone functions, and in February 2002 a color facsimile machine, compatible with the secure digital memory card, to meet the ever-sophisticated customer needs.
In the area of car AV equipment, Matsushita has continued to develop advanced car navigation systems for the domestic market, as well as further promoting global expansion in car audio equipment. Building on its success of the world’s first car navigation system incorporating DVD, Matsushita extended its car navigation networking capabilities by launching NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode capable models in the SD Memory Card.

This categoryyear ended March 31, 2000. Matsushita continues to launch upgraded car navigation systems, with recent introductions of a model that can receive mobile information services and a further advanced model with a built-in HDD capable of processing large volumes of data in an instant. In the related area of electronic toll collection (ETC) services, which were officially inaugurated in March 2001 as an integral part of Japan’s intelligent transport systems project, the Company began supplying not only the infrastructure equipment but also includes prerecorded videonew in-vehicle terminals for the ETC system.

In the area of broadcast-use AV equipment and audio tapes and discssystems, Matsushita launched in such formats as VHS, DVD and CD.

Matsushita intends to further strengthen its lineApril 2000 a series of digital networkable consumervideo electronic news gathering systems called DVCPRO HD, building on the success of its light, compact digital DVCPRO series and, in the year ended March 31, 2001, the Company supplied major broadcast satellite digital TV networks in Japan with conditional access systems and an electronic program guide, both key systems for broadcast satellite digital broadcasting. Matsushita is also solidifying its leading position in the global in-flight AV systems market by delivering AV systems with LCD monitors and personal multimedia systems that allow passengers to enjoy in-flight shopping from their seats.


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Home Appliances
Matsushita’s principal products to createin this category include home networks interconnecting them with each other and with external public information and communications networks. The role of Digital TVs and STBs together with DVD and SD products as home gateways and servers is expected to increase, forming a strong basis for future growth.

Home Appliances and Household Equipment

Matsushita’s vast array of home appliance products includes refrigerators, air conditioners, home laundry equipment (suchappliances, such as washing machines, and dryers),clothes dryers, vacuum cleaners, electric irons, dishwashers, microwave ovens, rice cookers and other cooking appliances, dishwashers, refrigerators, air conditioners, electric fans, air purifiers, electric and kerosene heaters and electrically-heated rugs. The line ofrugs; and household equipment, mainly comprisescomprising kitchen fixture systems, electric, gas and kerosene hot-water supply systems, and bath and sanitary equipment. This category also includes healthcare equipment, electric lamps, bicycles, and optical cameras and flash units, and fire extinguishers.

units.

Matsushita continues to leadhas a leading position in the Japanese home appliance industry, launching new technologicallymarket. In recent years, Matsushita responded to diversified customer needs by introducing products with high value-added innovative models. The latest examples includefeatures, such as a centrifugal-force washing machine for home use, featuring reduced drying time made possible through the world’s first dual air- and water-cooling technology, a compact rechargeable-battery-powered cordless vacuum cleaner employing a centrifugal-force dust collection system and a vacuum cleaner with separate modes for high-power and low-air exhaust operations. Matsushita introduced a series of new floor space-saving refrigerators that do not sacrifice inner capacity. Suchcapacity, followed by a refrigerator to employ separate cooling functions for the refrigerator compartment, vegetable drawer and freezer for higher energy efficiency. In the year ended March 31, 2002, furthermore, the Company launched Japan’s industry-leading refrigerator that uses hydrocarbon refrigerant, which eliminates the use of ozone-layer depletive refrigerants. In the same year, Matsushita introduced two innovative models feature high energy-efficiency levelsof air conditioners to meet the growing consumer interests in energy conservation and arehealthy lifestyles. One of them features an energy-saving technology achieving reduction of the power consumption by half compared with the Company’s model from ten years ago, and another one featuring the world’s first system that incorporates a perfect fit in Japanese kitchen fixture systems. The Company also strengthened its line of centrifugal force washing machines by adding a new series equippednegative ion generator with an automatic detergent feeding system.


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Other recentelectronic dust collector.

In addition to developing and introducing high-value-added products designed to stimulate the saturated appliance market in Japan, Matsushita has also been strengthening its business base by taking the lead in the newer, growth product innovations include the Company’s compact rechargeable-battery-powered cordless vacuum cleaner employing a centrifugal force dust collection system and a new space-saving compact dishwasher that fits even on a small Japanese kitchen countertop.

In the household equipment area, the Company is meeting market needs by providing user-friendly products. Successful examples include easy-to-operate pull-down cabinet shelves, pull-outareas, such as dishwashers, and flame-freeframe-free induction heating cookers, as well as Matsushita’s energy-efficient air conditioners.

From April 2000,cooking equipment and compact garbage processing units.

Furthermore, Matsushita is further concentratingworking on the development of the following solution-oriented areas:new businesses to create enriched living environments healthcare, energyin the twenty-first century, offering products and food-related equipment and systems businesses. The Company is intentservices using digital networking technologies that focus on creating new business models,important issues such as automated electricthe environment and gas consumption inspection systemsenergy, health and healthcare, comfort and security and greater convenience at home. Activities in progress include the development of networkable home appliances, garbage recycling services for the food industry and home healthcare services.

Industrial Products

Industrial products is comprised of information and communications equipment and industrial equipment. This has been the Company’s fastest growth category For example, in the last decade, led by mobile communications equipmentyear ended March 31, 2002, Matsushita developed a new web-based tele-homecare system which allows patients to measure their vital signs and personal computer (PC) related equipment. However,doctors to access remotely the patient’s information. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan officially recognized the system to be introduced for medical use.

In May 2001, Matsushita entered into an agreement on a broad business alliance with Hitachi Ltd. in the last two years growth has slowed due mainly to the significant worldwide price declines in PC peripherals. Sales in fiscal 2000 totaled 2,757 billion yen for this category, representing 38% of total Company sales. Details of major products are as follows:

Information and Communications Equipment

The line of information and communications equipment includes information equipment,fields such as PCs, word processors, printers, copying machines, PC displays, hard disk drives, CD-ROM, DVD-ROMIC card-based solutions business and DVD-RAM drives; communications equipment, such as facsimile equipment, telephones, cellular telephones, other mobile communications equipmenthome networking appliances. As part of this alliance, the companies are co-developing home network systems linking home appliances with public infrastructures, which is intended to save energy and digital private branch exchanges;improve living standards. The companies are also joining hands on research and other systems equipment, such as CATV systems, broadcast- and business-use AV systems and equipment, large-screen visual equipment, communications network equipment, and traffic-related systems and equipment. Of these, Matsushita maintains a high competitive edge worldwide in particular lines of products, such as hard disk and optical disc drives, facsimile equipment, broadcast-use digital VCR equipment and airline in-flight AV systems, while also enjoying a leading position in the Japanese cellular phone industry.

In the PC and related equipment field, Matsushita continued to improve its notebook PCs introducing ultraslim mobile models and adding features such as wireless communication. The Company strengthened its CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM drives and hard disk drive lineup, developing upgraded models to meet the need for greater data storage capacity and faster processing speed.

In the mobile communications field, Matsushita continued to maintain its leading share in the domestic cellular phone market with success in new lines including its NTT DoCoMo i-mode handsets equipped with E-mail and Internet browsing capabilities. Currently, Matsushita and NTT DoCoMo, Inc. are developing a service that will eventually allow users to download music to a SD Memory Card using mobile communications devices in Japan. Expanding its scope of operations, the Company has also begun preparations in both handsets and base stations for W-CDMA, the next-generation mobile communications system that will commence in the spring of 2001 in Japan.


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In the broadcasting equipment field, Matsushita maintains a substantial share of the digital news gathering equipment market as it continues to launch innovative video camera recording and editing systems such as the DVCPRO HD (high-definition) series. The Company is currently exploring future business expansion with the launch of Japan’s BS digital TV broadcasting in December 2000, developing various new digital broadcast equipment centered on the Company’s advanced conditional access systems and electronic programming guide technologies and establishing ventures for creationdevelopment of new digital TV contents services with leading Japanese broadcasting companies. In business-use AV systems, the Company holds a large share of the in-flight AV systems global market and is continually increasing its surveillance cameras and Closed Circuit Video Equipment (CCVE) systems presence.environmental technologies for home appliances.


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Industrial Equipment

Matsushita’s product range of industrial equipment encompasses factory automation (FA) equipment, welding machines, electric power distribution equipment, commercialventilating and air conditioning equipment, vending machines and medical equipment. This category also includes car AV equipment, such as car audioIn addition, Matsushita is reinforcing its engineering services business, mainly for private enterprises and car navigation equipment.

government agencies in Japan and overseas.

In the area of FA equipment, Matsushita is an industry leader in electronic-parts-mountingelectronic-parts mounting machines, and major producer ofalso produces industrial robots and electronic measuring instruments. The Company reinforced its lineupBuilding on this strength to meet increasingly sophisticated customer requirements, Matsushita has launched innovative products in fiscal 2000 by concentratingrecent years, with a focus on smaller, lighter high-precision machinesmachines. Examples include a “Stud Bump Bonding” semiconductor mounting machine and introduced a new high-speed multifunctional chip mounter, as well as an innovativea laser processing machine to satisfy demand for ultrafine,ultra-fine production of high-integration circuit boards. The CompanyMatsushita has also added modular components mounters to solidify its mainstay range of parts-mounting machines in the year ended March 31, 2002. Concurrently, Matsushita introduced the world’s smallest and lightest fully digital carbon dioxide/metal active gas automatic welding machine. Matsushita also holds a competitive position in the market for DVD disc mastering and replication equipment. Matsushita is currently augmenting its efforts to become a total FA solutions provider offering not only equipment utilizingbut also comprehensive engineering services and related support.
In the area of commercial-use ventilating and air-conditioning systems, Matsushita has been expanding delivery of its advanced authoringspecialty in-tunnel dust collection and disc bonding technologies.

Car AV equipment suchventilation systems to Japan’s major expressways. Matsushita sources the manufacture of packaged air conditioners to Daikin Industries, Ltd. as part of an alliance entered into in November 1999 between the car navigation system are taking on an increasingly expanding role. To meet market needs,two companies. The alliance covers a broad range, also including consumer-use air conditioners in which Matsushita continueswill provide manufacturing cooperation to introduce more advanced car navigation systems, such as DVD-equipped models that feature networking capabilities including E-mail and Internet browsingDaikin, as well as interact with various new services such as mapjoint procurement of parts and traffic informationmaterials and Electronic Toll Collection systems. All the above are an integral partco-development of the development of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) currently under way in Japan.

environmentally-conscious products.

Components

Matsushita produces a wide range of electronic and electric components and devices. Devices

Major products included in this category are semiconductors, general electronic components, display devices, electric motors, compressors and batteries, to support the Company’ssome of which are incorporated into Matsushita’s finished products and some of which are for sale to other manufacturers. Sales of components as a whole in fiscal 2000, excluding in-house consumption, totaled 1,530 billion yen, accounting for 21% of the Company’s overall sales.

Recognizing that components and devices hold the key to innovation and advancement, as well as the competitiveness of finished products and systems in the digital networking age, Matsushita places significant priority on the development of electronic components’competitive components and devices technology and business. During and since the year ended March 31, 2001, business with special emphasisin this category has been adversely affected by setbacks in the demand from the cellular phone and other information technology-related industries. Given this adverse business environment, Matsushita implemented various structural reforms, including the centralization of manufacturing locations and the establishment of a new liquid crystal display (LCD) joint venture. In addition, to secure growth and profitability in this business category, Matsushita concentrates on semiconductorsthe development of proprietary “black-box” technologies and display devices.


- 9the business expansion centered on the 120 strategic products that have the potential to achieve top global positions in their respective markets.


- 19 -

The Company’s range of
Matsushita’s semiconductors isare primarily made up of integrated circuits, (ICs), such as MOS LSIsmetal oxide semiconductor large-scale integration (LSI) circuits and bipolar ICs,integrated circuits, discrete devices and CCDs. The Companycharge coupled devices. Matsushita has been strengthening development of single-chip multifunctional LSIs, called System LSIs,system LSI circuits, which form the basis of digital-network relateddigital network-related equipment. Successful results in recent years included Media Core Processors,system LSI chip sets for DVD-ROM drives, MPEG-2 encoder chips, 32-bit microcontrollers with embedded DRAMs, single-chip decoder LSIs for digital TV receivers, anddynamic RAM, system LSI chip sets for DVD-ROM drives.digital TV tuners and the world’s first single-chip MPEG-4 multi-codec system LSI circuits. Matsushita is at the forefronthas also been a leader in optical pickup semiconductors for DVDs, CCDsDVD equipment, charge coupled devices for video camcorders, and gallium-arsenide power modules for cellular phones. The Company is currently working to develop 0.13 micron process technology in an alliance with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation for futureIn April 2002, Matsushita commenced production of new 0.13-micron system LSIs for use in digital networkable products.

The Company maintains a broad spectrum ofand compound semiconductors at new facilities.

Matsushita manufactures general components, encompassing electronic circuit components, printed circuit boards, transformers, power supply components, coils, capacitors, resistors, tuners, speakers, ceramic components, and various sensors. In fiscal 2000, the Company continued to introduceMatsushita has recently been focusing on smaller, more advanced components for equipment downsizing and performance improvement as well as developingimprovement. As part of this effort, Matsushita has expanded its production of compact multi-layer printed circuit boards of its own design and high frequency components for use in compact mobile communications equipment. In the year ended March 31, 2002, Matsushita augmented its range of specialty polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Matsushita also developed cutting-edge ultracompact, high-capacitance products in the field of multiplayer ceramic chip capacitors and film capacitors. In areas related to digital networkable consumer products, Matsushita developed a surface-mounted circuit module for Bluetooth, a short-range wireless networking protocol, for digital home networking.

protocol.

In the area of display devices, Matsushita has recently added high-technology semi-stretched tension flat-surface CRTs and has further expanded its flat-surface CRTthis product rangeseries to include a model with a brightness level 20% higher than conventional models. Strategically, Matsushita ishas been concentrating production of flat-surface CRTs in Japan, while shifting production of traditional CRTs overseas. The CompanyIn the year ended March 31, 2001, Matsushita developed the world’s thinnest 32- and 36-inch flat-surface high-definition direct-view CRTs for broadcast satellite digital high definition TVs. Matsushita also focused effortshas been focusing on developing high-picture qualityhigh-picture-quality LCD devices with faster picture response and wider viewing angles. In April 2002, Matsushita established Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd., a new joint venture with Toshiba. The Company isnew joint venture has succeeded to LCD operations of the two parent companies, and will further boosting itscommence manufacture of cutting-edge products, including low-temperature polysilicon LCD panels. Regarding plasma display panel (PDP)panels (PDPs), the market for which is expected to grow significantly in the mid-term, Matsushita boosted its product lineup with the developmentmarketing of 50-competitively-priced 50-inch and 60-inch37-inch units to add to its current 37- andexisting 42-inch models.

model in 2001. Matsushita strengthened its manufacturing structure through a number of initiatives, including the commencement of production at a new PDP plant in China in December 2001.

In the area of electric motors, Matsushita recently augmented its FA equipment motor lineup with the MINAS-A, a series of smaller, high-speed servomotors with greater energy efficiency compared tothan conventional models. AV and information and communications equipment motors lineups were also augmented with compact spindle motors for use in PC peripherals and DVD players andDuring the year ended March 31, 2002, the Company enhanced the lineup of vibration motors for cellular phones. Furthermore inphones and polygon mirror scanner motors for laser beam printers, while launching linear servomotors for industrial applications. In compressors, Matsushita is a world leader, offering those primarily for air conditioners and refrigerators.


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Matsushita is one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers, producing a comprehensive range of batteries ranging from manganese, alkaline, lithium, silver oxide and zinc air cells, to rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion, nickel metal-hydride, nickel-cadmium and sealed lead-acid batteries and storage batteries for automotive use, as well as various battery powered appliances. Among these, Matsushita has increased production of compact, high-performance batteries, such as the Company’s long lifelong-life alkaline batteries and lithium-ion batteries, has been expanding in recent years, as theythese batteries are increasingly used in compact electronic equipment. Matsushita is also at the forefront of nickel metal-hydride batteries for electric and hybrid electric vehicles.vehicles, production of which has been expanding, as they are increasingly installed in the new cars of the leading Japanese auto manufacturers. In fiscalthe year ended March 31, 2000, Matsushita launched the world’s thinnesta ultraslim (0.4 mm) manganese dioxide-lithium battery, known as the Paper Coin“paper coin,” for use in what are known as IC cards such as bank or credit cards. To strengthen its competitive position in the compact rechargeable batteries, Matsushita launched prismatic lithium-ion rechargeable batteries in the year ended March 31, 2001, and expanded its Osaka plant in the year ended March 31, 2002 to prepare for E-commerce.an extensive production increase in the future.

MARKETING CHANNELS


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SALES AND DISTRIBUTION

Set forth
The table below isshows a breakdown of Matsushita’s net sales breakdown by geographical markets:
                          
Yen (billions)

Fiscal year ended March 31,

200019991998



Japan3,69851%3,75249%3,89149%
North and South America1,384191,513201,45819
Europe906121,0191394912
Asia and Others1,311181,356181,59320






    
               Total7,299100%7,640100%7,891100%






area for the periods indicated:

                          
   Yen (billions) (%)
   
   Fiscal year ended March 31,
   
   2002 2001 2000
   
 
 
Japan  3,348   49%  4,034   53%  3,698   51%
North and South America  1,359   20   1,380   18   1,384   19 
Europe  775   11   849   11   906   12 
Asia and Others  1,395   20   1,419   18   1,311   18 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 Total  6,877   100%  7,682   100%  7,299   100%
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Sales and Distribution in Japan

Domestic sales are handled primarilyor coordinated by 12several sales divisions organized according to the typetypes of customer, i.e., consumers,customers (consumers, corporate, government, manufacturing industry, and other respective industries,industries) in order to meet the specific and ever-diversifying needs of consumers and various industries.

For the consumer market, Matsushita maintains the industry’s most extensive sales networks, supplying a large number of consumermany electronics and appliance retailers throughout Japan, and has also expandedexpanding sales to mass scalevolume retailers. In addition, the Company is currently attempting on a limited scale an Internet based
Matsushita sells its products to non-consumers, such as manufacturers, business corporations, construction companies and governments, through its sales system, in which the Company will cooperate with retailers who handle product delivery, installationsdivisions, sales offices and after-sale services.

subsidiaries or through outside agencies. Sales to corporate and government customers are centered on information and communications equipment, and sales to the manufacturing industry are focused on industrial equipment and components.


- 21 -

With the exception
In April 2001, Matsushita began implementing major reorganizations of light bulbsits domestic consumer sales and other inexpensive products, substantially all of Matsushita’sdistribution structure. As a first step, Matsushita restructured its corporate consumer products carry warrantiessales divisions, the sales functions of its product divisions and the advertisement division, into two new brand-name-linked marketing divisions: the Corporate Marketing Division for Panasonic Brand, which vary in duration from one to five years, in line withis primarily responsible for the normal practiceproducts of the industry. ServiceAVC Networks category, and the Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand, which is providedprimarily responsible for the products of the Home Appliances category. In respect of distribution through local consumer electronics and appliance retailers, in October 2001, Matsushita consolidated its 22 regional consumer sales companies throughout Japan into a single company. Matsushita’s sales for volume retailers will also be strengthened by expanding supply chain management. In addition, on October 1, 2001, Matsushita’s credit sales subsidiary and leasing subsidiary were merged into one company, Matsushita Leasing & Credit Co., Ltd. By implementing these reforms and by approved service companies which obtain replacement parts fromrevitalizing its domestic consumer sales and distribution operations, Matsushita intends to create an efficient structure that ensures speedy responses to customer needs and other suppliers.

realizes a significant reduction in distribution costs and an increased market share.

Overseas Activities

Matsushita operates 222228 companies in 4445 countries outside of Japan, including five regional headquarters, 4349 manufacturing/sales companies, 9893 manufacturing companies, 4649 sales companies, 1213 research organizations and fivefour finance subsidiaries. International marketing of Matsushita’s products is conducted through the Company’s sales subsidiaries and affiliates and also through independent distributors. In addition, certain products are sold in foreign markets on an OEM basis and marketed under the brand names of third parties. The Company has been gradually strengthening overseas sales channels for industrial products and components aside fromas well as integrated systems products. These efforts are expected to broaden the scope of Matsushita’s overseas sales channels to add to the existing consumer products sales networks that Matsushita has in many countries and regions. The Company also implemented supply chain management (SCM), working with several overseas mass-scale retailers to raise global operational efficiency.

Overseas sales including products manufactured outside Japan and those exported from Japan represented approximately 49%51% of the Company’s total consolidated sales in fiscal 2000.


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2002.

In order to promote global business development and counter currency fluctuations, Matsushita has expanded and continues to expand its overseas production covering not only major consumer products, but also industrial products and components. Inin recent years, the Company placed emphasis on building and expanding manufacturing facilities in newly developing areas, such as China India and Eastern Europe, in addition to Southeast Asia. Specifically, Matsushita has been focusing on the strategy for China by strengthening the production capacity of its Chinese facilities for such products as well as Southeast AsiaDVD players, microwave ovens, compressors and Mexico.

Matsushita’s currentcomponents, and by building a new Chinese facility for plasma display panels. The Company entered into a basic agreement with TCL Holdings Co., Ltd., a Chinese electronics leader, in April 2002, to develop collaborative relationship with each other in this growth market.

Matsushita places emphasis is placed on advancingpromoting localization of development of products and technologies to enhance competitiveness of individual overseas manufacturing sites, as well as that of the entire Group regionally.sites. The Company is also reviewing the functions of its R&D, production and sales bases worldwide, by respective product categoriesintegrating and relocating, as necessary, to achieve optimum efficiency of Matsushita’s global operations.


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Customers

The largest markets for Matsushita’s productsMatsushita have traditionally been consumers and households.consumer products. However, since the 1980s, the proportion of sales to non-consumer customers, such as governments, commercial and industrial corporations and other institutions, including large customers such as electric and electronic equipment manufacturers, automotive manufacturers and various other machinery makers, has been rising as Matsushita places increasing emphasis on industrial and commercial products and electronic components. In the year ended March 31, 2000, sales of industrial products and components accounted for approximately 59% of Matsushita’s total sales, rising from 48% of the total (52% of total excluding MCA) in fiscal 1995. Matsushita’s business is not materially dependent uponon any single customer.

SEASONALITY OF BUSINESS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Matsushita considers research and development to be a key factor
The Company’s main business has no significant seasonality in its success and essentialterms of sales or profits. However, when it comes to the achievement of its corporate theme: to provide utmost satisfaction to customers throughoutconsumer electronics market, normally the world through distinguished products and services and to contribute tofiscal third quarter is a peak because it falls in the progress and happiness of mankind. Under this theme, the Company has been committed to “R&D that creates next generation businesses, while at the same time supporting today’s and tomorrow’s products and businesses.” As part of this task, focus is directed towards the five priority areas: digital TV systems, semiconductors, mobile communications equipment, optical discs and display devices.

Building on combined strength in these areas, Matsushita emphasizes the development of networkableyear-end sales season for consumer products that can be linked inside the home and with external public networks. Matsushita will also target a variety of mid-term growth areas, including broadband communications, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), education, healthcare, energy-related fields, Internet-related business and software. To make networkable consumer products and the Company’s mid-term growth areas a reality, Matsushita will aggressively pursue its research and development by closely coordinating programs and efforts at the corporate R&D centers and at each divisional research center.

Principal corporate R&D centers include; the Advanced Technology Research Laboratories, which engages primarily in basic research aimed at developing advanced technologies to create new businesses looking toward the year 2010, the Multimedia Development Center, the Digital Network Development Center, the Optical Disk Systems Development Center, the Display Device Development Center, the Human Environment Development Center and the Corporate Semiconductor Development Division. The Corporate Production Engineering Division, which engages in development of new manufacturing technology, supports production activities at Matsushita’s domestic and overseas operating facilities.


- 12 -

The Overseas R&D Promotion Center supports and augments the Company’s global R&D activities, such as development of a common global platform for digital TV systems, strengthening the collaboration between corporate laboratoriesdurables in Japan and the holiday sales season in many overseas R&D centerscountries.

Additionally, seasonal appliances, such as those basedair conditioners and refrigerators, have a different business cycle, in North America and Europe.

At the divisional level, internal divisional companies and principal subsidiaries maintain their own research facilities and/or departments, engaged in specific R&D projects or engineering and design improvement in close cooperationline with the above corporate R&D centers, as mentioned above.

Total expenditures for research and development amounted to 481 billion yen, 500 billion yen and 526 billion yen for the three fiscal years ended March 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively, representing 6.1%, 6.5% and 7.2% of Matsushita’s total net sales for each of those periods.

The most significant recent results from Matsushita’s R&D efforts include; DVD products including DVD-Audio and video recorders, portable players, ROM and RAM drives with large data storage or recording capacity and high speed performance; a single-chip digital TV System LSI, which processes a large array of digital signals received in radio waves and is compatible with mostpractice of the world’s digital TV services; System LSI chip sets incorporatedrelevant Japanese industry, which starts from October and ends in DVD-ROM and RAM drives; an ultracompact mobile storage device called the Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card, jointly developed with SanDisk Corporation and Toshiba Corporation, for various use including electronic music distribution and AV data storage; Internet-compatible cellular phones and PHS-linked terminals, equipped with E-mail and Internet browsing capabilities;September. This does not have a compact home co-generation system using fuel cells; large printed circuit boards using environment-friendly lead-free solders, used inmaterial effect upon the Company’s VCRs.overall operation.

RAW MATERIALS AND SOURCE OF SUPPLY

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Recognizing that building advanced technologies, equipment and processes is essential to the cost-efficient manufacturing of sophisticated electronic products and devices, the Company has been attentive in planning plant and equipment investment to achieve higher competitiveness and investment efficiency. Besides constant investment in production automation and energy-saving facilities, increasing emphasis has been placed on expansion of such business areas ranging from digital AV equipment and mobile communications equipment to components and devices.

Total capital expenditures were 474 billion yen, 352 billion yen and 338 billion yen for fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000, respectively.

Capital expenditures have declined over the past three years as the Company concentrates and focuses its resources on such strategically important areas as key components and devices including semiconductors and LCD devices, while implementing selective investment in other operating areas.

COMPETITION

The markets in which the Company sells its products are highly competitive in Japan, as well as abroad. Matsushita’s principal competitors, across the full range of its products, consist of several large Japanese manufacturers and a large number of smaller and more specialized companies. In particular categories of products it encounters additional competition from companies in the United States, Europe and Asia. The Company expects that competition will continue to be intense both in Japan and abroad.


- 13 -

In addition, the recent advancement towards a borderless economy, has applied pressure to Japanese manufacturers, including Matsushita, in terms of price competition globally. To minimize the effects of these negative factors, the Company is devising various cost-reduction and efficiency measures to enhance competitiveness from a global perspective, such as increasing overseas production and shortening production and logistics lead time through the introduction of SCM, and also developing joint ventures and other cooperative agreements with overseas partners.

TRADEMARKS

Most of Matsushita’s products are distributed throughout the world under the “Panasonic” and “National” trademarks. Matsushita also sells a number of hi-fi products under the “Technics” trademark. Some of the subsidiaries’ products are sold under other trademarks, including “Quasar,” “Victor” and “JVC.”

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENTS

Matsushita holds numerous Japanese and foreign patents and utility model registrations for its products and engages in mutual exchange of technologies with a number of Japanese and foreign manufacturers. Its technical assistance, or licensing, to other manufacturers is increasing year by year.

Matsushita is a licensee under various license agreements which cover a wide range of products, including audiovisual products, computers, communications equipment, semiconductors and other components. Matsushita has non-exclusive patent license agreements, among others, with Thomson Multimedia Licensing Inc. and Thomson S.A. covering a broad range of its products, including TVs, VCRs, CD players and CD-ROM drives. Matsushita has non-exclusive patent cross-license agreements, among others, with Texas Instruments Incorporated and International Business Machines Corporation, both covering semiconductors, information equipment and certain other related products. Matsushita Electronics Corporation (MEC), a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, has non-exclusive patent license agreements with Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. covering most of the items manufactured by MEC, including semiconductor devices, various lamps, cathode-ray and electron tubes and certain other products.

Most of Matsushita’s license and technical assistance agreements are for three- to ten-year periods, unless the agreements cover specific patents to be licensed therein, in which case they are normally for the life of the patent.

The Company considers all its technical exchange and license agreements beneficial to its operations.

RAW MATERIALS AND SOURCES OF SUPPLY

Matsushita purchases a wide variety of parts and materials from various suppliers in Japan and abroad. The Company applies a multi-sourcing policy — being not dependent upon any one source of supply for any essential item. The Company has also been endeavoring to promote a policy of global optimum purchasing by selecting the bestmost qualified suppliers from all over the world and buying the most competitive parts and materials. Furthermore,Although prices of certain materials, such as metals, are volatile, the Company has managed to minimize the negative effects on its operations by maintaining favorable relations with suppliers and continuing a multi-sourcing policy.
In an attempt to improve its operational efficiency and reduce parts and materials costs, Matsushita is centralizing in greater scale of its purchasing at its headquarters and at the internal divisional companies and subsidiaries levels. It is also reducing the number of its suppliers and standardizing parts and materials for common use throughout Matsushita.

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENTS

Matsushita holds numerous Japanese and foreign patents and utility model registrations for its products and shares technologies with a number of Japanese and foreign manufacturers. Its technical assistance, or licensing, to other manufacturers has been increasing year by year.


- 23 -

Matsushita is a licensee under various license agreements which cover a wide range of products, including AV products, computers, communications equipment, semiconductors and other components. Matsushita has non-exclusive patent license agreements, with among others, Thomson Multimedia Licensing Inc. and Thomson Licensing S.A. covering a broad range of its products, including TVs, VCRs, CD players and CD-ROM drives. Matsushita has non-exclusive patent cross-license agreements, with among others, Texas Instruments Incorporated and International Business Machines Corporation, both covering semiconductors, information equipment and certain other related products. Certain internal divisional companies as successors to Matsushita Electronics Corporation, a former subsidiary now merged into the Company, have non-exclusive patent license agreements with Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. covering most of the items manufactured by such divisional companies, including semiconductor devices, various lamps, cathode-ray and electron tubes and certain other products.
Most of Matsushita’s license and technical assistance agreements are for three- to ten-year periods, unless the agreements cover specific patents to be licensed therein, in which case they are normally for the life of the patent.
The Company considers all of its technical exchange and license agreements beneficial to its operations.

COMPETITION

The markets in which the Company sells its products are highly competitive. Matsushita’s principal competitors, across the full range of its products, consist of several large Japanese and international manufacturers and a number of smaller and more specialized companies. In certain categories of products it encounters additional competition from companies in the United States, Europe and Asia. The Company expects that competition will continue to be intense both in Japan and abroad.
In addition, the recent advancement towards a borderless economy has applied pressure to Japanese manufacturers, including Matsushita, in terms of global price competition. To minimize the effects of these negative factors, the Company is currently establishingdevising various cost-reduction and efficiency measures to enhance competitiveness, such as innovating manufacturing processes through the use of information technology, increasing overseas production, and shortening production and distribution lead time through the introduction of supply chain management in cooperation with several overseas and domestic mass-scale retailers and cell-style production, as well as developing joint ventures and other cooperative agreements with domestic and overseas partners. Also, with the advancement of digital networking technologies, competition around the so-called “de facto” standard has become intense. In response, Matsushita has been strengthening its efforts for alliances with leaders of not only the electronics industry but also the software, devices, broadcasting, communications services and other industries.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

Effective April 1, 2001, the Japanese government enacted the Law for Recycling of Specified Kinds of Consumer Electric Goods (the Recycling Law). The Recycling Law requires that consumers, retailers and manufacturers share the responsibility of recycling used TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines.


- 24 -

To cope with requirements under the Recycling Law, Matsushita set up an Internet-based partseffective system that can utilize its existing infrastructure of recycling and materials procurement system on a nation-wide scale. Since suppliers are selected on the basis of a fairtransportation companies throughout Japan for collection and comprehensive evaluation, the Company enjoys good business relationships with them and the sourcing is properly assured.


- 14 -

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

recycling activities. The Company actively promotes diverse environmental initiatives and harmonious coexistence with the global environment in every aspect of its business practices. Since establishingalso established the Matsushita Environmental Charter in 1991, the Company has emphasized theEco Technology Center Co., Ltd. not only for dismantling used products and recycling scrapped materials, but also for research and development of eco-friendly products, suchrecycling technology. Matsushita, as audio equipment and VCRs with industry-first lead-free solders, reduced the environmental impact from its manufacturing activities, and is establishing recycling systems.

As part of Matsushita’s strong commitment toindustry leader in the domestic home appliance market, has been consistently working on environmental protection measures that meet or exceed standards set forth in the Company attained ISO14001 certification at more than 200 production sites globally. Accordingly, Matsushita not only observes relevant environmental laws and regulations throughout the world, but also established its own stricter guidelines for the reduction and proper management of chemical substances. Additionally, in fiscal 2000 the Company commenced a Green Procurement Campaign, in which Matsushita gives priority to eco-friendly suppliers and materials.

In fiscal 1999, the Company spent approximately 2 billion yen in appropriate remedial actions for sites with any signs of contamination, including removal and purification of water and soil. Currently, the Company is not aware of any operational sites with serious environmental problems that may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial position.

Recycling Law.

The Company is taking steps for compliancesubject to a number of other government regulations in Japan and overseas, but overall, the Company presently manages to operate its business without any significant difficulty or financial burden in coping with proposed Japanese used electric appliance recycling legislation, setthem.
C.Organizational Structure
In order to beginmaintain production, sales and service activities in the springbroad business areas as a comprehensive electronics manufacturer, Matsushita has traditionally operated under a decentralized divisional management structure with substantial delegation of 2001. However, it is difficultauthority to estimate related expenditures, due to uncertainties involved including the future status of the proposed legislation. Matsushita believes that capital expendituresdivisional companies and expenses incurred in complyingsubsidiaries, with the new legislation will not have a material adverse effect upon its results of operations or financial position. Nevertheless, the Company is aware that costs associated with more stringent future environmental regulations will increaseheadquarters focusing on Groupwide strategic functions, such as corporate planning, personnel administration, finance and is therefore placing a high priority on effective environmental cost management to achieve sustainable growth.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

Ascorporate communications, as well as corporate-level R&D, sales and marketing functions.

Principal divisional companies and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2000, Matsushita had approximately 290,000 employees. Of the total, approximately 146,000 employees2002 are in Japan and approximately 144,000 outsideas listed below:

(1)Internal divisional companies of Japan, with a trend of overseas employees constantly increasing. Most regular employees in Japan, except management personnel, are union members, principally of the Matsushita Electric Industrial Workers Union, which is affiliated withCo., Ltd.:
Name of internal divisional company
AVC Company
Home Appliance & Housing Electronics Company
Air-Conditioner Company
Packaged Air-Conditioner Company
Motor Company
Semiconductor Company
Display Devices Company
Lighting Company
Factory Automation Company


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(2)Principal domestic subsidiaries:
Name of companyPercentage
owned


Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd.*56.3%
Matsushita Electronic Components Co., Ltd.99.3
Matsushita Industrial Equipment Co., Ltd.100.0
Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd.98.0
Matsushita Refrigeration Company100.0
Kyushu Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd.*51.5
Matsushita Seiko Co., Ltd.*57.6
Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems, Inc. *67.8
Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Industries, Ltd. *57.6
Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.52.4
(* The asterisked companies are scheduled to become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. via share exchanges, effective October 1, 2002.)
(3)Principal overseas subsidiaries:
Country of
Name of companyincorporationPercentage owned



Matsushita Electric Corporation of AmericaU.S.A.100.0%
Matsushita Electric Europe (Headquarters) Ltd.U.K.100.0
Matsushita Electric Asia Pte. Ltd.Singapore100.0
Matsushita Electric Espana S.A.Spain100.0
Matsushita Electric (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.Taiwan68.2
Matsushita Industrial Corporation Sdn. BhdMalaysia99.3
Matsushita Television & Network Systems Co., (Malaysia) Sdn. BhdMalaysia100.0
Matsushita Refrigeration Industries (S) Pte. Ltd.Singapore100.0
Matsushita Electronics (S) Pte. Ltd.Singapore100.0
Note:Matsushita’s consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2002 comprise the Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union.

As is customary in Japan,accounts of 304 consolidated companies plus 46 companies reflected by the Company negotiates annually with the unionsequity method.

D.Property, Plants and grants annual wage increases and semiannual bonuses. Matsushita also renews the terms and conditions of labor contracts, other than those relating to wages and bonuses, every other year. In recent years, the Company has been introducing in Japan new comprehensive employment and personnel systems which satisfy diversified needs of employees. Such systems include an individual performance-oriented annual salary system and an alternative payment system under which employees can receive retirement and fringe benefits up front as an addition to their monthly salary.

In fiscal 1999, Matsushita also introduced a stock-price-linked remuneration system (effective through fiscal 2001) for its employees manager level or above whereby a modest amount linked to the Company’s stock price is paid once a year to these employees.

For a quarter century, Matsushita has experienced no major labor strikes or disputes. The Company considers its labor relations to be excellent.


- 15 -

Item 2. Description of Property

Equipment

The Company’s principal executive offices and key research laboratories are located in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan.

Matsushita’s manufacturing plants are located principally in Japan, other countries ofin Asia, North and South America and Europe. The Company considers all of its factories well maintained and suitable for their current production requirements.


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The following table sets forth information as of March 31, 20002002 with respect to manufacturing facilities:
    
Floor Space
(thousands of
Locationsquare feet)Principal Products Manufactured



Osaka9,228VCRs, PDP TVs, DVD products, audio equipment, washing machines, other home appliances, information equipment, industrial equipment, components, batteries, kitchen fixtures.
Kanagawa4,264Communications, information and measuring equipment, VCRs, audio equipment, car AV equipment, compact discs, refrigerators, batteries.
Shiga3,564Air conditioners, refrigerators, compressors, vacuum cleaners.
Tochigi1,869TVs, TV picture tubes, information equipment.
Nara1,992Home appliances, gas and kerosene equipment, compact discs and DVD discs.
Okayama1,905VCRs, components, magnetic tapes and discs.
Kyoto1,627Semiconductors, components.
Ibaraki1,118Magnetic tapes.
Shikoku3,694VCRs, information equipment, home appliances.
Kyushu3,216Information and communications equipment, components, industrial equipment.
North America7,715TVs, home appliances, VCRs, DVD discs, car audio equipment, communications equipment, components, batteries.
Europe4,184VCRs, TVs, audio equipment, car audio equipment, home appliances, components, information and communications equipment.
Asia
(excluding
China)
17,673TVs, VCRs, audio equipment, air conditioners, refrigerators, other home appliances, components, semiconductors, information and communications equipment, industrial equipment, compressors, batteries.
China5,185TVs, audio equipment, air conditioners, washing machines, other home appliances, car audio equipment, communications equipment, industrial equipment, compressors, components, batteries.
Other17,009Home appliances, industrial equipment, components, semiconductors, video and audio equipment, batteries, information and communications equipment.

Total84,243

   

All of the above facilities and properties are fully owned by the Company, except for the land, some parts of which are leased from companies outside of the Matsushita Group.


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Floor Space
(thousands of
Location   square feet)   Principal Products Manufactured
Osaka9,848VCRs, TVs, DVD products, audio equipment, washing machines, other home appliances, information equipment, industrial equipment, components, batteries, kitchen fixtures.
Kanagawa4,392Communications, information and measuring equipment, VCRs, audio equipment, car AV equipment, compact discs, refrigerators, batteries.
Shiga3,564Air conditioners, refrigerators, compressors, vacuum cleaners.
Tochigi2,056TVs, TV picture tubes, information equipment.
Nara2,027Home appliances, gas and kerosene equipment, compact discs and DVD discs.
Okayama1,864VCRs, components, magnetic tapes and discs.
Kyoto1,608Semiconductors, components.
Ibaraki1,059TVs, magnetic tapes.
Shikoku3,683VCRs, information equipment, audio equipment, home appliances.
Kyushu2,350Information and communications equipment, components, industrial equipment.
North
   America
7,402TVs, home appliances, VCRs, DVD discs, car audio equipment, communications equipment, compressors, components, batteries.
Europe3,977VCRs, TVs, audio equipment, car audio equipment, home appliances, components, information and communications equipment.
Asia18,138TVs, VCRs, audio equipment, air conditioners, refrigerators, other home appliances, components, semiconductors, information and communications equipment, industrial equipment, compressors, batteries.
Other20,068Home appliances, industrial equipment, components, semiconductors, video and audio equipment, batteries, information and communications equipment.

Total82,036


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In addition to its manufacturing facilities, Matsushita’s properties all over the world include sales offices located in various cities with an aggregate floor space of approximately 7.7 million square feet, research and development facilities with an aggregate floor space of approximately 6.9 million square feet, employee housing and welfare facilities with an aggregate floor space of approximately 11.411.3 million square feet, and administrative offices with an aggregate floor space of approximately 17.019.0 million square feet.

As of March 31, 2000,2002, Matsushita leased approximately 12.217.0 million square feet of floor space, most of which was for sales office space.Substantially all of Matsushita’s properties are free of material encumbrances and Matsushita believes such properties are in adequate condition for their purposes and suitably utilized. During fiscal 2002, there was no material problem, regarding both the productive capacity and the extent of utilization of the Company’s properties.In terms of environmental issues, all of the Matsushita Group’s properties operate in compliance with governmental and municipal laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Company established a number of internal environmental guidelines which are stricter than those provided by the authority. In case any occasional non-compliance may take place, Matsushita takes immediate and appropriate actions to meet the regulatory requirements and to ensure current good utilization standards.For fiscal 2003, the Company will make a capital investment of approximately 240 billion yen, for the purpose of production of new products and enhancement of production capacity and efficiency with a focus on such areas as AV and information and communications equipment (approximately 85 billion yen), and electronic components and devices including semiconductors and PDPs (approximately 124 billion yen).The investments stated above will be funded mainly through internal sources.

Item 5.     Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

A.Operating Results
Since the early to mid-1990s, the Japanese economy has been experiencing slow growth and stagnation. The continued general decline of Japanese real estate prices and a series of bank and corporate failures and the related instability in the Japanese financial system have increased economic uncertainty. In the year ended March 31, 2000, the Japanese economy began to recover moderately, owing to government economic stimulus packages and a surge in demand for information technology (IT)-related goods and services which resulted in a 1.9% increase in real gross domestic product. The recovery continued into the year ended March 31, 2001, especially in the first half, led by IT-related corporate capital investment. In the second half of that year, however, economic growth in Japan slowed once again due to sluggish consumer spending and weak growth in exports, along with a sharp slowdown in demand for IT and related products. On an annual basis, Japan’s gross domestic product grew 1.7% in real terms during the year ended March 31, 2001. For the year ended March 31, 2002, Japan’s real gross domestic product declined 1.3%, due mainly to the continuing recession in the global IT industry, sluggish capital spending and reduced exports. Slow consumer spending also contributed to the decline.


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For the first part of the three years ended March 31, 2002, overseas economic conditions were generally favorable, particularly in the United States. From around the middle of the year ended March 31, 2001, however, economic growth in the United States began to slow down. This slowdown coincided with setbacks in the global IT industry, which had previously enjoyed rapid growth in demand centered on personal computers and cellular phones. These conditions are currently having negative effects on Asian and European economies, as well as the IT and related electronic equipment and components industries around the world.
During the period, sluggish consumer spending and capital investment have triggered deflation in Japan. The consumer price index in Japan declined 0.5% in the year ended March 31, 2000 and declined 0.5% again in the year ended March 31, 2001. In the year ended March 31, 2002, the consumer price index continued to fall, recording a decline of 1.0%. This deflationary trend has been reflected in the declining prices of goods and services in Japan, which have been putting pressure on the earnings of Japanese businesses.
Foreign currency exchange rates were volatile during the three-year period, with the Japanese yen generally weakening against such major currencies as the U.S. dollar and the Euro (see Section A of Item 3). In order to alleviate the effects of currency-related transaction risk, Matsushita has traditionally used several currency risk hedging methods, such as forward foreign-exchange contracts and currency options contracts with leading banks. Matsushita has also implemented matching of exports and imports exchange contracts. As a basic countermeasure against currency exchange risk, the Company has been strengthening production operations outside Japan to meet overseas demand, while reducing dependence on exports from Japan. The Company does not have any material unhedged monetary assets, liabilities, or commitments denominated in currencies other than the operation’s functional currency.
In the face of the previously mentioned severe economic environment, Matsushita commenced, in April 2001, implementing its mid-term business plan, Value Creation 21, which covers the three-year period ending March 31, 2004. This plan is intended to respond to the changing business environment, especially society’s transition to a so-called ubiquitous networking society in the twenty-first century, to which Matsushita believes it must adapt in order to continue to satisfy customer needs and contribute to society. From the viewpoint of its financial results, Matsushita hopes, through the implementation of the plan, to achieve growth in sales and earnings by developing, manufacturing and selling products that respond to the needs of customers in the new era of the ubiquitous networking society, and by improving efficiency through restructuring programs which it hopes will also help to realize a sizable reduction in its fixed costs.
Matsushita’s consolidated sales and earnings results during the last three fiscal years, reflecting all of the aforementioned external and internal conditions, can be summarized as follows:
In fiscal 2000, net sales decreased 4.5% to 7,299 billion yen, mainly attributable to sluggish demand in Japan due to continued weak consumer spending, intense global price competition and yen appreciation. Net income totaled 100 billion yen increasing 311.2% over the previous year. Increased profitability in Components and Devices and improved overall efficiency could not fully offset the negative effects of price declines and yen appreciation on earnings. However, the significant net income increase was realized largely due to a non-operating gain of 59 billion yen from the sale of shares of EPCOS AG, a German electronic component manufacturing joint venture, as well as adjustments in net deferred tax assets in the previous fiscal year, which were not incurred in fiscal 2000.


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In fiscal 2001, net sales rose 5.2% to 7,682 billion yen, due mainly to generally favorable economic conditions in Japan and overseas, as well as increased demand for IT-related products and components, especially in the first half of the fiscal year. Despite the positive effect of this sales gain and overall cost reduction and efficiency improvement efforts, net income declined 58.4% to 42 billion yen, largely because of restructuring expenses incurred to compensate employees in Japan subject to the new regional-based employee remuneration system and certain subsidiaries’ early retirement programs, both implemented as part of the mid-term Value Creation 21 plan. The absence of the previous year’s non-operating gain from the sale of EPCOS AG shares also adversely affected net income.
In fiscal 2002, net sales declined 10.5% to 6,877 billion yen. Sales in the video and audio equipment sector of the AVC Networks category rose, compared with fiscal 2001, attributable to steady growth in digital AV equipment. Sales in almost all other sectors, however, dropped from the previous year. Specifically, the information and communications equipment sector and the Components and Devices category were negatively affected by a worldwide downturn in IT-related industries, while reduced capital investment globally caused a steep fall in sales in the Industrial Equipment category. In addition to these sales declines, the Company incurred various restructuring expenses under the Value Creation 21 plan as mentioned below. Reflecting these adverse factors, along with corporate tax effects and a decrease in minority interests due to negative earnings of certain subsidiaries, the Company incurred a net loss of 431 billion yen.
Under the Value Creation 21 plan (see Section A of Item 4 for a description of the plan), Matsushita implemented in fiscal 2002 employment restructuring programs, including special early retirement programs for employees of the parent company and several subsidiaries in Japan, in order to meet employees’ ever-diversifying attitudes toward work. The number of employees who participated in the special early retirement programs totaled approximately 13,000 persons. Expenses related to these employment restructuring programs, including one-time payment packages to the early retirees, amounted to approximately 164 billion yen in fiscal 2002.
Concurrently, the Company recognized an impairment loss during fiscal 2002 related to the write-down of the machinery and equipment to manufacture display devices and other components. Matsushita also carried out business restructuring initiatives, including the closure or integration of several manufacturing locations in Japan and overseas to maintain competitiveness and increase capital efficiency. Expenses related to the impairment loss and business restructuring totaled 86 billion yen in fiscal 2002.
For expected cost savings in fiscal 2003 as a result of the above employment and business restructuring, see Section D of this Item 5 - Trend Information.
Details of operating and financial results during the last three fiscal years are as follows:


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Year ended March 31, 2002 compared with 2001

(1)Sales
Consolidated net sales for fiscal 2002 were down 10.5% to 6,877 billion yen from 7,682 billion yen in the previous year. The decline was mainly a result of negative effects of the recession in the global IT industry and weak economic conditions in Japan and overseas. The recession in Japan deepened with sluggish consumer spending and retracted capital investment, while overseas, the slowdown in U.S. economic growth, combined with the September 11 terrorist attacks, led to a weakening of Asian and European economies.
Domestic sales fell 17.0% to 3,348 billion yen. This decrease was mainly a result of slow sales of products in the AVC Networks category, particularly information and communications equipment. In components and devices, as well, setbacks in the information and communications-related industries resulted in depressed sales of general components, semiconductors and electric motors. Overseas sales were 3,528 billion yen, down 3.3% when translated into yen and down 10.5% on a local currency basis. Sharp sales declines of components and devices were a major factor in the overseas sales decline.
(2)Other Revenues (Revenue excluding Net Sales)
Other revenues include interest income, dividends received and other income. Of these, interest income decreased 23.2% to 34 billion yen, and dividends received also decreased 25.1% to 9 billion yen. Other income remained mostly flat, decreasing only 0.6% to 54 billion yen.
(3)Costs and Expenses
As net sales declined, cost of sales decreased 6.3% to 5,134 billion yen and selling, general and administrative expenses also decreased 2.9% to 1,954 billion yen. Meanwhile, interest expense decreased 5.3% to 41 billion yen, owing to a reduction in the Company’s borrowings. However, other deductions increased 153.9% to 391 billion yen, including 164 billion yen related to employment restructuring programs, such as additional retirement allowances for special early retirement programs, 86 billion yen related to business restructuring expenses, such as impairment losses, and other expenses associated with the closure or integration of several manufacturing locations, and a write-down of 93 billion yen on investment securities, compared with restructuring charges for fiscal 2001, which included one-time expenses of 100 billion yen associated with the implementation of the regional-based employee remuneration system and early retirement programs in several domestic subsidiaries. The aggregate restructuring accrual of 6,660 million yen at the end of fiscal 2002 mainly consists of rental cancellation penalty fees under contractual obligations and compensation fees for subcontractors in several subsidiaries. It is expected that the restructuring accrual balance will be paid during fiscal 2003.
(4)Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
As a result of the above factors, income before income taxes turned to a loss of 548 billion yen, compared with a pretax profit of 101 billion yen in fiscal 2001.


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(5)Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes generated a benefit of 57 billion yen, compared with an expense of 50 billion yen in the previous year. Its ratio to income (loss) before income taxes turned to 10.4%, from 49.5% a year ago. This is mainly due to an increase of valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.
(6)Minority Interests
Minority interests decreased to negative 60 billion yen for fiscal 2002, compared with 22 billion yen in fiscal 2001, reflecting depressed or negative earning results of several subsidiaries.
(7)Equity in Earnings of Associated Companies
Equity in earnings of associated companies decreased to 59 million yen, from the previous year’s 13 billion yen, due mainly to decreased earnings of associated companies.
(8)Net Income (Loss)
As a result of all the factors stated in the preceding paragraphs, the Company recorded a net loss of 431 billion yen for fiscal 2002, compared with a net income of 42 billion yen in the previous fiscal year.
(9)Results of Operations
Beginning in the year ended March 31, 2002, Matsushita discloses results of operations according to the reclassified product segments; AVC Networks, Home Appliances, Industrial Equipment, and Components and Devices. Accordingly, information for previous years has been restated to correspond to the new classifications.
Results of operations by business segment were as follows:
AVC Networks sales declined 5.3% to 4,052 billion yen, from 4,280 billion yen in the previous year. Within this category, despite sluggish sales of VCRs, overall sales of video and audio equipment grew 2.3% from the previous year to 1,797 billion yen, due mainly to increased overseas sales of TVs and rapid worldwide sales expansion of DVD equipment and discs. Sales of information and communications equipment declined 10.7% to 2,255 billion yen. Although strong sales were recorded for car AV equipment and broadcast- and business-use AV equipment, drastically reduced sales in mobile communications equipment, specifically cellular phones, and hard disk drives, resulted in an overall sales decrease within this category.
With respect to this segment, Matsushita’s segment profit decreased from 104 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001 to a loss of 52 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2002. The sharp decrease in profit was mainly due to lower sales in mobile communications equipment, including cellular phones, and the severe market price competition in video and audio equipment.
Sales of Home Appliances decreased 10.4% to 1,179 billion yen. Although microwave ovens and vacuum cleaners recorded strong sales overseas, weak domestic demand for refrigerators and washing machines, partly due to unusually high sales at the end of the previous fiscal year prior to the enactment of a new recycling law in Japan, worked to lower overall sales in this category.


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With respect to this segment, Matsushita’s segment profit fell 30.4% from 55 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001 to 38 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2002. The cost reduction efforts could not offset the adverse effect of overall sales decrease.
Sales of Industrial Equipment were 296 billion yen, down 37.7% from the previous year. As orders from IT-related industries remained slow, domestic and overseas sales of factory automation (FA) equipment were negatively impacted, leading to a sharp sales decrease in this category.
Due to the significant declines of sales, Matsushita’s segment profit for Industrial Equipment decreased from 18 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001 to a loss of 44 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2002.
Sales of Components and Devices decreased 20.4% to 1,973 billion yen. This was mainly due to sharp declines in sales of general components, semiconductors, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and batteries all mainly for cellular phone- and IT-related industries.
With respect to this segment, Matsushita’s segment profit decreased from 89 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001 to a loss of 96 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2002, principally owing to significantly reduced sales and further price reductions to meet customer demands.

Year ended March 31, 2001 compared with 2000

(1)Sales
Consolidated net sales for fiscal 2001 increased 5.2% to 7,682 billion yen, from 7,299 billion yen in the previous year. The growth mainly reflected a moderate recovery in the Japanese economy and a favorable advance in overseas economies, along with the expansion of worldwide, IT-related investment, although toward the end of the year external conditions led to a sharp adverse turn with a slowdown in growth of the U.S. economy and rapidly weakening global demand for IT-related products and components.
Domestic sales climbed 9.1% to 4,034 billion yen. This increase was achieved through solid growth in Industrial Equipment, including FA equipment, as well as Components and Devices, such as general electronic components and semiconductors. A moderate recovery in AVC Networks, achieved mainly by growth in digital AV equipment also contributed to the increase in domestic sales. Overseas sales were 3,648 billion yen, up 1.3% when translated into yen and up 5.0% on a local currency basis, with the Components and Devices category leading the way.
(2)Other Revenues (Revenue excluding Net Sales)
Other revenues include interest income, dividends received and other income. Of these, interest income increased 1.8% to 44 billion yen, while dividends received decreased 16.6% to 12 billion yen. Other income decreased 60.2% to 54 billion yen, as there was no significant gain recorded in this fiscal year comparable to the previous year’s gain of 59 billion yen from the sale of EPCOS AG shares.


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(3)Costs and Expenses
As net sales expanded, cost of sales increased 5.6% to 5,481 billion yen and selling, general and administrative expenses also increased 3.2% to 2,012 billion yen. However, the ratio of these operating expenses in aggregate to net sales declined by 0.3%, compared with the previous year, offsetting the adverse effects of price declines and yen appreciation. Meanwhile, interest expense also decreased 5.8% to 44 billion yen, owing to a reduction in the Company’s borrowings. However, other deductions increased 76.0% to 154 billion yen, due mainly to the aforementioned restructuring expenses, totaling approximately 100 billion yen, associated with compensation for domestic employees affected by the new regional-based employee remuneration system, as well as early retirement programs in several domestic subsidiaries. As a result, total costs and expenses increased 5.7% to 7,691 billion yen.
(4)Income before Income Taxes
As a result of the above factors, income before income taxes decreased 53.9% to 101 billion yen, compared with 219 billion yen in fiscal 2000.
(5)Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes amounted to 50 billion yen, compared with 137 billion yen in the previous year. Its ratio to income before income taxes dropped to 49.5%, from 62.7% a year ago, due mainly to a lower increase in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.
(6)Minority Interests
Minority interests increased to 22 billion yen, compared with negative 1 billion yen in fiscal 2000, reflecting the earnings improvements and turnaround from losses of certain subsidiaries.
(7)Equity in Earnings of Associated Companies
Equity in earnings of associated companies decreased 25.8% to 13 billion yen, from the previous year’s 17 billion yen, due mainly to decreased earnings of several associated companies.
(8)Net Income
As a result of all the factors stated in the preceding paragraphs, net income for fiscal 2001 decreased 58.4% to 42 billion yen. Net income as a percentage of net sales declined to 0.5%, compared with 1.4% a year ago.


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(9)Results of Operations
Results of operations by business segment, as restated on the basis of the business segment classifications effective from the year ended March 31, 2002, were as follows:
Sales of the AVC Networks segment increased 4.9% from 4,082 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2000 to 4,280 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001. Within this segment, sales of video and audio equipment increased, due mainly to solid sales of color TVs and DVD players worldwide, and digital TVs and compact disc music albums in Japan, which more than offset decreased sales of VCRs and audio equipment. Sales of information and communications equipment also increased, largely due to an expansion in mobile communications equipment, such as cellular phones, along with steady increases in sales of personal computers, CD-R/RW drives and car AV equipment. However, overseas sales of information and communications equipment were down slightly, as they were hampered by a global downturn in the IT industry during the second half of the fiscal year.
With respect to this segment, Matsushita’s segment profit increased 3.0% from 101 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2000 to 104 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001. The sales increase and cost reduction efforts offset the adverse effects of severe market price competition and the appreciation of the yen.
Sales of the Home Appliances segment increased 0.8% from 1,306 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2000 to 1,316 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001. This was principally attributable to the market success of new products, mainly in Japan, such as centrifugal force washer/dryer and a cordless rechargeable vacuum cleaner offering extended continuous operation, and temporary high sales at the fiscal year-end prior to the April 2001 enactment of a home appliance recycling law in Japan.
With respect to this segment, Matsushita’s segment profit increased 28.7% from 42 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2000 to 55 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001, primarily due to its cost reduction efforts despite the adverse effects of declines in market prices of products.
Sales of the Industrial Equipment segment increased 21.3% from 391 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2000 to 475 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001. This was mainly attributable to robust sales of FA equipment, such as electronic parts-mounting machines, mainly for the information and communications equipment industry.
With respect to this segment, Matsushita’s segment profit decreased 11.8% from 20 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2000 to 18 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001, mainly owing to the devaluation of FA equipment inventory despite sales increase.
Sales of the Components and Devices segment increased 5.1% from 2,358 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2000 to 2,478 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001. This was attributable to solid sales in both domestic and overseas markets, in such lines as general electronic components, semiconductors, LCD devices and electric motors, mainly for mobile communications equipment and digital AV products.
With respect to this segment, Matsushita’s segment profit increased 34.1% from 66 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2000 to 89 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2001, principally owing to sales increases and efforts to reduce costs, despite the negative impact of price declines.


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B.Liquidity and Capital Resources
Matsushita’s Liquidity Profile
The two tables below show Matsushita’s cash payment obligations and guarantees and other commercial commitments, broken down by the amount of payments due for each of the periods specified below, as of March 31, 2002:
                       
    Yen (millions)
    
    Payments Due by Period
    
        Less than            
    Total 1 year 1-3 years 4-5 years After 5 years
    
 
 
 
 
Contractual Obligations:                    
 Long-Term Debt  953,235   263,807   379,154   200,258   110,016     
 Capital Lease Obligations  4,128   1,664   1,962   482   20     
 Operating Leases  98,158   14,483   40,792   42,883   —     
 Unconditional Purchase Obligations  6,496   6,496         —     

  Total Contractual Cash Obligations  1,062,017   286,450   421,908   243,623   110,036     

Yen (millions)

Total
Amounts
Committed

Other Commercial Commitments:
Letters of Credit20,153     
Guarantees59,521     

Total Commercial Commitments79,674     

Letters of credit generally have contractual lives of less than one year. Loan guarantees are principally provided on behalf of associated companies, customers and retailers and generally have long-term contractual lives coinciding with the maturities of the guaranteed obligations.
In October 2001, Matsushita sold machinery and equipment, which are used to manufacture semiconductors for 44 billion yen. The assets were sold to a special-purpose entity, which in turn leased them back to Matsushita over a period of four years. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation provided to the special-purpose entity a loan with the same term as that of the resulting leases. The loan paid for approximately 88% of the cost of the machinery and equipment. SMBC Leasing Company, Limited, an affiliate of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, owns, through the special-purpose entity, an equity interest in the machinery and equipment, representing approximately 12% of the cost. The leases are classified as operating leases for U.S. GAAP purposes. Matsushita entered into another similar sale and lease-back arrangement in the amount of 64 billion yen in March 2002.


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On January 10, 2002, Matsushita publicly announced that it would repurchase its own shares in Japan pursuant to Japanese law. Matsushita also announced its intention to hold such repurchased shares as treasury stock to increase capital efficiency, and to use some or all of the repurchased shares for the share exchanges to transform five of its subsidiaries into wholly-owned subsidiaries, (see Section A of Item 4 – Information on the Company). Matsushita set the maximum aggregate purchase amount at 100 billion yen and the maximum aggregate number of shares to be purchased at 60 million shares. The period of purchase began on January 11, 2002 and ended on April 19, 2002. During that period, Matsushita acquired 59,586,000 shares.
Also on January 10, 2002, Matsushita publicly announced that it would issue straight bonds in Japan to raise funds necessary for its future business development, including such needs as working capital, redemption at maturity of outstanding convertible bonds and the repurchase of its shares discussed above. Matsushita had previously set up a shelf registration in Japan for issuances of straight bonds, including those announced on January 10, 2002, with the maximum aggregate principal amount of 500 billion yen within two years from December 29, 2001. On February 14, 2002, Matsushita issued straight bonds in the aggregate principal amount of 300 billion yen.
Matsushita’s policy on Financial Position and Liquidity
As its basic policy, Matsushita has long placed emphasis on maintaining sound balance sheets, and on generating as much available funding as possible from internal sources through efforts to raise the operational efficiency or asset turnover ratios, so as not to overly rely on external fund raising. This conservativeness is exemplified in the tradition of maintaining the ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets at a relatively high level and keeping a large cash balance. The ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets as of March 31, 2002 stood at 42.5%, although the total of short-term borrowings and long-term debt increased to 1,200 billion yen as of March 31, 2002, from 1,090 billion yen a year ago. Cash balance (the total of cash and cash equivalents plus time deposits with a maturity of more than three months) also remained at the relatively high level of 1,421 billion yen as of March 31, 2002, increasing slightly from the previous year’s 1,376 billion yen due mainly to decreased inventories and capital investment during fiscal 2002.
With this cash balance, combined with generally high credit ratings from the world’s leading credit rating agencies, Matsushita believes that it has sufficient sources of liquidity for either working capital or long-term investment needs.
As of March 31, 2002, the outstanding balance of short-term borrowings totaled 508 billion yen, and long-term debt was at 692 billion yen. Of the short-term borrowings, 98 billion yen is the current portion (maturity of less than one year) of outstanding convertible bonds. Matsushita’s borrowings are not significantly affected by seasonal factors. (For further details, see Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.) Most borrowings are at fixed rates.
In recent years, Matsushita has focused on raising capital efficiency upon review of its balance sheet. As part of this move, the Company initiated an endeavor to achieve more efficient utilization of available cash resources held by subsidiaries and associated companies. This is achieved by lending such cash resources to other Group companies, as necessary, through a network of cash management systems at financial subsidiaries located in each global region. Through this operation, the Company is working on the reduction of both excess cash and borrowings on a consolidated Groupwide basis, along with reducing interest and related cost payments to outside financial institutions, to help realize a lean balance sheet.


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Regarding the use of financial instruments for hedging purposes, see Item 3. 11.
Fiscal 2002 Financial Position and Liquidity
The Company’s consolidated total assets at the end of fiscal 2002 decreased to 7,627 billion yen, compared with 8,156 billion yen at the end of fiscal 2001. This decline was chiefly a result of a reduction in accounts receivable, caused by lower sales, and a reduction in inventories, along with companywide efforts to reduce capital investment in plant and equipment.
Stockholders’ equity at the end of fiscal 2002 also dropped, to 3,243 billion yen, from 3,773 billion yen in the previous year. This was largely attributable to a decrease in retained earnings caused by the net loss, as well as declines in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), including minimum pension liability adjustments, despite the positive effect of the yen’s year-end exchange rate on cumulative translation adjustments. The Company’s repurchase of its own shares of common stock in an effort to improve capital efficiency also resulted in reduced stockholders’ equity.
The Company’s capital investment (excluding intangibles) during fiscal 2002 totaled 309 billion yen, a decrease from the previous year’s figure of 504 billion yen. This was mainly in response to a severe business environment, in which the Company cut back capital investment, particularly for components and devices, such as semiconductors. Depreciation (excluding intangibles) during the year also fell, to 323 billion yen, compared with 345 billion yen in the previous year.
Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2002 amounted to 77 billion yen, compared with 392 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. This reduction was primarily attributable to a net loss and a decrease in trade payables that were greater than the decreases in trade receivables and inventories. Net cash used in investing activities amounted to 70 billion yen, compared with 583 billion yen in fiscal 2001, principally owing to an investment decrease in time deposits and a reduction of capital expenditures. Net cash provided by financing activities was 29 billion yen, compared with net cash used in financing activities of 113 billion yen a year ago, due mainly to a decrease in repayments of long-term debt despite an increase in repurchase of common stock. All these activities, compounded by the effect of exchange rate changes, resulted in a net increase of 51 billion yen in cash and cash equivalents during fiscal 2002. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of fiscal 2002 totaled 900 billion yen, compared with 849 billion yen a year ago. These are primarily held in yen (79%) and U.S. dollars (4%).
Commitments for Capital Expenditures
As of March 31, 2002, commitments outstanding for the purchase of property, plant and equipment amounted to 6 billion yen.
C.Research and Development
Matsushita considers research and development to be a key factor in its success and essential to the achievement of its corporate theme: to provide the utmost satisfaction to customers throughout the world through differentiated products and services and to contribute to the progress and happiness of mankind. Under this theme, Matsushita is committed to research and development activities that create next-generation businesses from a mid- to long-term viewpoint, while at the same time supporting current or ongoing products and businesses.


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The main focus of Matsushita’s research and development activities has been increasingly directed to digital networks and the environment and energy. During the year ended March 31, 2001, in order to speedily address these themes, Matsushita categorized its research and development activities into four main technological areas: multimedia software, devices and environment- and energy-related technologies, semiconductors, and production engineering and quality control. At the same time, Matsushita increased communication and collaboration between corporate research and development centers and divisional technology centers and departments across various product areas. This strategic approach enabled Matsushita to launch several “product firsts” onto the market while at the same time forming the base for the creation of new growth businesses. Matsushita also worked on the expansion of its global research and development networks, establishing a number of research and development centers in North America, Europe and Asia.
Notwithstanding such progress, as part of its “Value Creation 21” plan, Matsushita further reviewed all corporate-wide research and development organizations spanning various divisions in a decentralized manner. As a result of this thorough review, and to enable concentration of research and development resources into strategic areas, Matsushita established a “Strategic Products Development Platform” structure in December 2001. Under this new structure, Matsushita has identified nearly 20 strategic product categories which require even more specialized technologies and to which virtually all corporate-level and divisional-level R&D efforts are concentrated. These strategic product categories include: digital TVs; home AVC servers; AVC mobile; mobile communications; car electronics; home gateways; color printing; home networking; fuel cell cogeneration systems; life line systems; mobile devices; circuit devices; secondary batteries; display devices; lighting devices; and strategic semiconductors. Matsushita plans to establish a development center or development task force for each category, concentrating all relevant development resources. Concurrently, to develop the technologies that support these strategic products, Matsushita established corporate-level core technology development groups, which are responsible for the following areas: multimedia software technology; semiconductor technology; devices, environment and production engineering technologies; and cutting-edge technologies.
Total expenditures for research and development amounted to 526 billion yen, 544 billion yen and 566 billion yen for the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively, representing 7.2%, 7.1% and 8.2% of Matsushita’s total net sales for each of those periods.

D.Trend Information
The slow growth and stagnation of the Japanese economy in recent years and the erosion in the strength of the global economy in recent months, and setbacks in the global IT and related industries that have been continuing for over a year, have had a major negative impact on Matsushita’s results of operations.
During the year ended March 31, 2002, the Japanese economy continued to deteriorate due to stagnant consumer demand and slow capital investment. Growing uncertainty has been mounting about the outlook for the Japanese economy. The U.S. economy has shown modest signs of recovery after a downturn following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, but its outlook remains uncertain at this point. In the meantime, the Asian and European economies have generally weakened.


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The severe conditions of the Japanese and global economies have caused decreases in Matsushita’s sales in a number of product areas, with significant negative impact on its results of operations in the year ended March 31, 2002. Within its major product categories, Matsushita has been experiencing negative effects on the sales of cellular phones and PC-related products, as well as components and devices and FA equipment. With respect to cellular phones, the slowdown in growth in demand that began in the second half of the year ended March 31, 2001 continued into the year ended March 31, 2002. This contributed to the buildup of industry-wide excess inventory of cellular phones and reduced shipments of Matsushita’s handsets. Similarly, the inventories of personal computers and related products also increased, reflecting the downturn in the market for those products. Meanwhile, Matsushita has suffered substantially reduced orders for components and devices and FA equipment from the global IT industry, as well as declining prices. Matsushita has also been suffering the negative effects of slow consumer spending on its consumer products in Japan, as well as weak overseas demand reflecting the economic slowdowns in the United States and other regions.
Matsushita expects that the sluggish conditions in the domestic market and fierce price competition in Japan and overseas will persist during the current fiscal year, ending March 31, 2003. In this severe business environment, Matsushita will strive to achieve a sales increase by introducing a range of new products, including its “V-Products” which are competitive products that Matsushita believes have the potential to achieve top share in high-volume markets and contribute to the Company’s overall performance. Together with benefits from the restructuring measures implemented during the year ended March 31, 2002, including reduced fixed costs due to the employment restructuring initiatives and the closure or integration of manufacturing locations in and outside Japan, Matsushita aims to realize a recovery in earnings. For fiscal 2003, Matsushita currently expects a reduction in costs of about 119 billion yen as a result of the employment restructuring initiatives, and a savings of approximately 52 billion yen related to the closure or integration of manufacturing locations. However, whether or not Matsushita will succeed in achieving an earnings recovery during the current fiscal year will depend on numerous factors, many of which are beyond Matsushita’s control. As a mid-term growth strategy, Matsushita will implement a comprehensive Groupwide business and organizational restructuring upon transforming five of its subsidiaries into wholly-owned subsidiaries in the second half of the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2003. Matsushita currently expects that any positive effects of such Group restructuring will arise in or after the next fiscal year.
In June 2002, the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries obtained approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (the Ministry) for an exemption from the future benefit obligation with respect to the substitutional portion of each Employees Pension Fund (EPF) that the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries operate on behalf of the government in accordance with Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law, following the enactment in April 2001 of a new law concerning the defined benefit pension plans in Japan. The Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries will apply for the return of the past benefit obligation of the substitutional portion of each EPF. Settlement of the past benefit obligation of the substitutional portion and the return of the pension assets to the government will be carried out by December 15, 2003. Matsushita currently expects that any positive effects of an exemption from the future benefit obligation and the settlement of the past benefit obligation with respect to the substitutional portion of each EPF will principally arise in the next fiscal year.


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E.Accounting Principles
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company has identified the following critical accounting policies which are important to its financial condition and results of operations, and require management’s judgments.
Long-lived Assets
The useful lives of property, plant and equipment are summarized in Note 1(o) to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report and reflect the estimated period that the Company expects to derive economic benefit from their use. In estimating the useful lives and determining whether subsequent revisions to the useful lives are necessary, the Company considers the likelihood of technological obsolescence, changes in demand for the products related to such equipment, and other factors which may affect their utility. The effect of any future changes to the estimated useful lives of the equipment and machinery could be significant to the Company’s results of operations.
Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Factors which may contribute to the need for future impairment charges include changes in the use of the assets resulting from the Company’s restructuring initiatives, technological changes or any significant declines in the demand for the related products.
Valuation of Available-for-sale Securities
The Company holds available-for-sale securities included in short-term investments and investments and advances. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes.
Individual securities classified as available-for-sale are reduced to net realizable value by a charge to income for other than temporary declines in fair value. Management regularly reviews each investment security for impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of that market decline and the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer.


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Valuation of Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make a sale. The Company routinely reviews its inventories for their saleability and for indications of obsolescence to determine if inventories should be written-down to net realizable value. Judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing such allowances in any accounting period. In estimating the net realizable value of its inventories, the Company considers the age of the inventory and the likelihood of spoilage or changes in market demand for its inventories.
Warranties
The Company makes estimates of potential warranty claims related to its revenues. The Company provides for such costs based upon historical experience and its estimate of the level of future claims. Management makes judgments and estimates in connection with establishing the warranty reserve in any accounting period. Differences may result in the amount and timing of its revenue for any period if the Company makes different judgments or utilizes different estimates.
Valuation of Accounts Receivable and Noncurrent Receivables
The Company reviews its accounts receivable on a periodic basis and provides an allowance for doubtful receivables based on historical loss experience and current economic conditions. In evaluating the collectibility of individual receivable balances, the Company considers the age of the balance, the customers’ historical payment history, their current credit-worthiness and adequacy of collateral.
The Company records noncurrent receivables at cost, less the related allowance for impaired receivables. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows or the fair value of the collateral. Cash receipts on impaired receivables are applied to reduce the principal amount of such receivables until the principal has been recovered and are recognized as interest income thereafter. Management’s judgment is required in making estimates of the future cash flows of an impaired loan. Such estimates are based on current economic conditions and the current and expected financial condition of the debtor.


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Accounting for Derivatives
The Company has limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and does not use them for trading purposes. The Company uses derivative instruments principally to manage foreign currency risks resulting from transactions denominated in currencies other than the Japanese yen. As discussed in Note 1(n) to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report, the Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of those derivatives are reported in earnings or other comprehensive income depending on their use and whether they qualify for hedge accounting. The accounting for gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of the derivative depends on its hedge designation and whether the hedge is highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in the fair values or cash flows of the hedged item. The Company evaluates and determines on a continuous basis if the derivative remains highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. If the derivative ceases to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. Because the derivatives the Company uses are not complex, significant judgment is not required to determine their fair values. Fair values are determined principally by receiving quotations from banks or brokers.
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingencies may from time to time arise from situations such as product liability claims, disputes over intellectual property rights, and other legal actions. Loss contingencies are recorded as liabilities when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. Disclosure is required when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded provision. Contingent liabilities are often resolved over long time periods. In recording liabilities for probable losses, management is required to make estimates and judgments regarding the amount or range of the probable loss. Management continually assesses the adequacy of estimated loss contingencies and, if necessary, adjusts the amounts recorded as better information becomes known.


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New Accounting Pronouncements
The Company will adopt Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (EITF) 01-9 “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vender to a Customer or Reseller of the Vendor’s Products” in the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2002. The Company does not expect that the adoption of EITF 01-9 will materially affect the results of operations or financial position.
In June 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS No. 141 requires that all business combinations be accounted for by the purchase method and changes the criteria for recognition of intangible assets acquired in business combinations. The provisions of SFAS No. 141 apply to all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, as well as all purchase method business combinations completed after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 142 will require that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized but should be tested at least annually for impairment. Intangible assets that have estimable useful lives will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. SFAS No. 142 also provides specific guidance for testing for impairment of goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 will be effective from the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2002, however, goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001, will be subject immediately to the nonamortization and amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. The adoption of SFAS No. 141 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 142 will materially affect the results of operations or financial position.
In June 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. This Statement applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and (or) normal operation of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and subsequently allocated to expense over the asset’s useful life. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 143 on April 1, 2003. The Company does not expect that the adoption will materially affect the results of operations or financial position.
In August 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” applicable for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2002. SFAS No. 144 amends the existing guidance on accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets to be held or used, establishes one accounting model to be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 144 will materially affect the results of operations or financial position.


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Item6.Directors, Senior Management and Employees

A.Directors and Senior Management
The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the number of Directors of the Company shall be three or more and that of Corporate Auditors shall be three or more. Directors and Corporate Auditors shall be elected by the general meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility for administration of the Company’s affairs. Directors may, by resolution of the Board of Directors, appoint a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President and Director, and one or more Executive Vice Presidents and Directors, Senior Managing Directors, and Managing Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Director, Executive Vice Presidents and Directors, Senior Managing Directors, and Managing Directors are Representative Directors and severally represent the Company. The term of office of Directors shall expire at the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders with respect to the last closing of accounts within two years from their assumption of office, and in the case of Corporate Auditors, within three years from their assumption of office. However, they may serve any number of consecutive terms.
The Corporate Auditors of the Company are not required to be, and are not certified public accountants. However, at least one of the Corporate Auditors should be a person who has not been a Director, general manager or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the five-year period prior to his election as a Corporate Auditor. Each Corporate Auditor has the statutory duty to examine the financial statements and business reports to be submitted by the Board of Directors at the general meeting of shareholders and also to supervise the administration by the Directors of the Company’s affairs. The Corporate Auditors are required to attend meetings of the Board of Directors and express opinions, if necessary, at such meetings, but they are not entitled to vote.
The Corporate Auditors constitute the Board of Corporate Auditors. The Board of Corporate Auditors has a statutory duty to prepare and submit its audit report to the Board of Directors each year. A Corporate Auditor may note his opinion in the audit report if his opinion is different from the opinion expressed in the audit report. The Board of Corporate Auditors is empowered to establish audit principles, methods of examination by the Corporate Auditors of the Company’s affairs and financial position and other matters concerning the performance of the Corporate Auditors’ duties.
The Corporate Auditors may not at the same time be Directors, managers or employees of the Company.


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The following table shows information about Matsushita’s Directors and Corporate Auditors after the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 27, 2002, including their dates of birth, positions, responsibilities and their brief personal records.

NamePositions, responsibilities and brief personal records


(Date of birth)
Yoichi MorishitaChairman of the Board of Directors – since June 2000
(Jun. 23, 1934)- -1987Director of the Company;
- -1992Executive Vice President and Director of the Company;
- -1993President and Director of the Company.
Masayuki MatsushitaVice Chairman of the Board of Directors – since June 2000
(Oct. 16, 1945)- -1986Director of the Company;
- -1992Senior Managing Director of the Company;
- -1996Executive Vice President and Director of the Company.
Kunio NakamuraPresident and Director – since June 2000
(Jul. 5, 1939)- -1993Director of the Company, and Director of Corporate Management Division for the Americas;
- -1996Managing Director of the Company;
- -1997Senior Managing Director of the Company, and President of AVC Company.
Atsushi MurayamaExecutive Vice President and Director – since June 2000
(Mar. 29, 1938)In charge of Planning, Personnel and General Affairs.
- -1995Director of the Company;
- -1997Managing Director of the Company;
- -1998Senior Managing Director of the Company.
Takashi KawadaExecutive Vice President and Director – since June 2001
(Mar. 13, 1937)In charge of Communications and Automotive Electronics Business.
- -1989Director of Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (MCI);
- -1993President of MCI.


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NamePositions, responsibilities and brief personal records


(Date of birth)
Kazuo TodaSenior Managing Director – since June 1999
(Feb. 13, 1941)In charge of Corporate Marketing Division for Panasonic Brand, Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand, Corporate Consumer Products Distribution Division, Corporate Commodity Sales, Housing Equipment Sales, Electrical Supplies Sales, Advertising, Logistics, and Corporate CS Division.
-1994Director of the Company, and in charge of Home Appliance Business;
- -1996Managing Director of the Company;
- -1997President of Home Appliance & Housing Electronics Company;
- -2000President of AVC Company;
- -2001Director of Corporate Marketing Division for Panasonic Brand.
Osamu TanakaSenior Managing Director – since June 1999
(Nov. 1, 1940)Tokyo Representative, and in charge of Public and Private Institutions, Recycling Business Promotion and Panasonic Center.
- -1995Director of the Company, and Director of Corporate Consumer Sales Division;
- -1997Managing Director of the Company;
- -1999In charge of Corporate Consumer Sales;
- -2001In charge of Corporate Consumer Products Distribution Division and Public and Private Institutions.
Sukeichi MikiSenior Managing Director – since June 2001
(Feb. 5, 1940)In charge of Technology, Intellectual Property and Overseas Research Laboratories.
- -1997Director of the Company, and in charge of Multimedia Technology;
- -1999Managing Director of the Company, and in charge of Technology and Overseas Research Laboratories;
- -2000In charge of Intellectual Property.
Yukio ShohtokuManaging Director – since June 1999
(Nov. 8, 1939)In charge of Overseas Operations.
- -1993Associate Director of Corporate Management Division for Asia, Oceania and the Middle East;
- -1994Director of the Company, and Director of Corporate Management Division for China;
- -2000In charge of Overseas Operations.


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NamePositions, responsibilities and brief personal records


(Date of birth)
Takami SanoManaging Director – since June 2000
(Apr. 2, 1943)In charge of Industrial Sales, Semiconductor Sales, Factory Automation Sales and Automotive Electronics Sales, Director of Corporate Industrial Marketing & Sales Division, and President of Factory Automation Company.
- -1992Director of Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd.;
- -1998Director of the Company, and Director of Corporate Industrial Marketing & Sales Division.
Susumu KoikeManaging Director – since June 2000
(Nov. 15, 1945)In charge of Device Technology, Environmental Technology, Production Engineering and Recycling Process Systems Business, and President of Semiconductor Company.
- -1993Director of Matsushita Electronics Corporation;
- -1998Director of the Company, and in charge of Semiconductor Technology;
- -2001President of Semiconductor Company.
Fumio OhtsuboManaging Director – since June 2000
(Sep. 5, 1945)President of AVC Company, and Business Group Executive of AVC Network Business Group, and in charge of Storage Device Business.
- -1998Director of the Company, and Vice President of AVC Company;
- -2001Business Group Executive of AVC Network Business Group.
Haruo UenoManaging Director – since June 2001
(Nov. 9, 1940)Director of Corporate Legal Affairs Division.
- -1965Joined the National Police Agency;
- -1994Joined the Company as Advisor;
- -1998Director of the Company, and Director of Corporate Legal Affairs Division.
Hidetsugu OtsuruManaging Director – since June 2001
(Aug. 20, 1943)President of Display Devices Company, and in charge of Quality and Environment.
- -1998Director of the Company, and in charge of Corporate Quality Administration Division and Purchasing Administration Department;
- -1999President of Matsushita Electronics Corporation;
- -2001President of Display Devices Company.
Yoshiaki KushikiManaging Director – since June 2001
(Jan. 17, 1946)In charge of Multimedia Technology and Software Technology.
- -1997Director of Multimedia Development Center;
- -1999Director of the Company, and in charge of Multimedia Technology.


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NamePositions, responsibilities and brief personal records


(Date of birth)
Josei ItoDirector – since June 1994
(May 25, 1929)(Chairman of the Board of Nippon Life Insurance Co.)
-1989President of Nippon Life Insurance Co.;
-1997Chairman of the Board of Nippon Life Insurance Co.
Toshio MorikawaDirector – since June 2000
(Mar. 3, 1933)(Executive Advisor of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation)
-1997Chairman of the Board of The Sumitomo Bank, Ltd.;
-2001Executive Advisor of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Hiroaki EnomotoDirector – since June 1996
(Nov. 3, 1942)Director of Tokyo Branch, and in charge of Public and Private Institutions.
-1965Joined the Ministry of International Trade & Industry;
-1995Joined the Company as Corporate Advisor;
-1998Director of Tokyo Branch, and in charge of Public and Private Institutions.
Toshio SugiuraDirector – since June 1997
(Sep. 20, 1941)Director of Corporate Management Division for China and Northeast Asia.
-1995President of Matsushita Electric Co., (Malaysia) Bhd.;
-1997President of Air-conditioner Company;
-2000Director of Corporate Management Division for China.
Tetsuya KawakamiDirector – since June 2000
(Dec. 7, 1941)In charge of Finance and Accounting.
-1996General Manager of Corporate Accounting Department.
Hideaki IwataniDirector – since June 2000
(Jul. 21, 1945)Director of Corporate Management Division for the Americas.
-1996President of Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company in Matsushita Electric Corporation of America;
-2000Director of Corporate Management Division for the Americas.
Yoshitaka HayashiDirector – since June 2000
(Jun. 7, 1946)In charge of Appliance Business, President of Home Appliance & Housing Electronics Company and Air-conditioner Company, and in charge of Packaged Air-conditioner Company and Healthcare & Medical Business Center.
-1999Vice President of Home Appliance & Housing Electronics Company;
-2000President of Home Appliance & Housing Electronics Company;
-2001Director of Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand.


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NamePositions, responsibilities and brief personal records


(Date of birth)
Toshihiro SakamotoDirector – since June 2000
(Oct. 27, 1946)Senior Vice President of AVC Company, and Business Group Executive of Visual Network Products Business Group.
-1998President of Matsushita Electric (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.;
-2000Vice President of AVC Company.
Masaki AkiyamaDirector – since June 2001
(Jun. 29, 1943)Director of Corporate System Sales Division and Corporate Systems Solutions Division.
-1994Director of Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (MCI);
-1998Senior Managing Director of MCI;
-2000Director of Corporate Systems Solutions Division.
Yoichiro MaekawaDirector – since June 2001
(Jan. 6, 1944)Director of Corporate e-Net Business Division.
-1997General Manager of Corporate Planning Office;
-2000Director of Corporate e-Net Business Division.
Tomikazu IseDirector – since June 2001
(Dec. 23, 1946)Director of Corporate Management Division for Europe.
-1998President of Panasonic Deutschland GmbH;
-1999President of Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH;
-2000Director of Corporate Management Division for Europe.
Masaharu Matsushita
(Sep. 17, 1912)
Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive
Advisor – since June 2000
-1947Director of the Company;
-1961President and Director of the Company;
-1977Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Motoi MatsudaSenior Corporate Auditor – since June 2000
(Feb. 11, 1937)-1993Director of the Company, and in charge of Finance and Accounting;
-1998Senior Managing Director of the Company.
Yoshitomi NagaokaSenior Corporate Auditor – since June 2001
(May 31, 1941)-1996Director of the Company, and in charge of AVC Technology;
-1997Vice President of AVC Company, in charge of Technology.
Toshiomi UragamiCorporate Auditor – since June 2000
(Nov. 4, 1935)(Executive Advisor of Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.)
-1997Chairman of the Board of Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.;
-2001Executive Advisor of Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.


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NamePositions, responsibilities and brief personal records


(Date of birth)
Kiyosuke ImaiCorporate Auditor – since June 2000
(Nov. 14, 1934)(Chairman of the Board of Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.)
-1994President of Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.;
-2000Chairman of the Board of Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.

There are no family relationships between any Director or Corporate Auditor and any other Director or Corporate Auditor of the Company except as described below:
Masayuki Matsushita, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors is the son of Masaharu Matsushita, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Advisor.
B.Compensation
The aggregate amount of remuneration, including bonuses, paid by the Company during fiscal 2002 to all Directors and Corporate Auditors (38 persons) for services in all capacities was 1,166 million yen.
In accordance with customary Japanese business practices, a retiring Director or Corporate Auditor receives a lump-sum retirement payment, which is subject to approval of the general meeting of shareholders. Retirement allowances provided for Directors and Corporate Auditors for fiscal 2002 amounted to 294 million yen.
For details of the Company’s stock option plans for Board members and select senior executives, see Section E of this Item 6.
C.Board Practices
For information on the Company’s Directors and Statutory Auditors, see Section A of this Item 6.
Pursuant to the home country practices exception granted by the New York Stock Exchange, Matsushita is permitted to follow corporate governance practices complying with relevant Japanese laws and Japanese stock exchange rules, which are different from those followed by U.S. domestic companies under the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards. The New York Stock Exchange rules and Matsushita’s current practices relating to corporate governance have the following significant differences:

Audit Committee.The New York Stock Exchange requires that a listed company have an audit committee consisting of at least three independent directors, and that the audit committee be charged with the responsibility of selecting, monitoring and communicating with the outside auditor of the company to ensure the outside auditor’s independence. Pursuant to the home country practices exception, Matsushita does not have an audit committee with functions called for by the New York Stock Exchange rules. Under the Commercial Code of Japan, Matsushita has the Board of Corporate Auditors which is under a statutory duty to monitor, review and report on the administration of the affairs of the Company, as discussed in Section A of this Item 6.


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Shareholder Approval Policy.The New York Stock Exchange requires that shareholder approval be obtained prior to issuance of stock options to officers or directors except, among others, where no single officer or director may acquire more than 1% of the number of common stock outstanding at the time the stock option plan is adopted, and where the stock option plan, together with all plans of the issuer other than those for which shareholder approval is not required, does not authorize the issuance of more than 5% of the issuer’s common stock outstanding at the time the stock option plan is adopted. Pursuant to the home country practices exception, Matsushita follows relevant Japanese laws which, as discussed in Section B of Item 10, generally require it to obtain shareholder approval if stock options are to be issued with “specially favorable” conditions.

The New York Stock Exchange also requires that, with certain exceptions specified in its rules, shareholder approval be obtained prior to issuance of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock (1) to a director, an officer, a substantial security holder or a party related to any of them if the number of shares of common stock which are to be issued or are issuable upon conversion exceeds 1% of the number of common stock or voting power outstanding before the issuance, (2) in any transaction or series of transactions, if the voting power of the common stock is equal to or exceeds 20% of the voting power outstanding before the issuance or if the number of shares of the common stock is equal to or exceeds 20% of the number of shares outstanding before the issuance, and (3) that will result in a change of control of the issuer. Pursuant to the home country practices exception, Matsushita only follows relevant Japanese laws which, as discussed in Section B of Item 10, generally require it to obtain shareholder approval with respect to the issuance of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock if common stock is to be issued at a “specially favorable” price or convertible bonds or debentures to acquire shares are to be issued with “specially favorable” conditions or stock acquisition rights to acquire shares are to be issued with “specially favorable” conditions.

On June 6, 2002, the Corporate Accountability and Listing Standards Committee of the New York Stock Exchange issued a report recommending that the Exchange adopt significant changes to its corporate governance listing standards. The report also contains several recommended changes to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s disclosure and corporate governance requirements. The New York Stock Exchange has stated that it plans to submit the proposals for approval to its Board of Directors in August 2002 and then would submit them to the Securities and Exchange Commission for approval. Under the current proposals, non-U.S. issuers such as Matsushita would continue to be permitted to follow home country practices with respect to corporate governance requirements. If and when the proposed rules are finally adopted after the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval, there would be additional significant differences other than those discussed above between the New York Stock Exchange rules and Matsushita’s current practices relating to corporate governance.
The rights of ADR holders, including their rights relating to corporate governance practices, are governed by the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-12694) filed on October 4, 2000).


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D.Employees
The following table lists the number of consolidated full-time employees of the Company as of March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000:
                
    2002 2001 2000
    
 
 
 Employees:            
  Domestic  124,212   143,162   146,675 
  Overseas  142,984   149,628   143,773 
    
   
   
 
  Total  267,196   292,790   290,448 
    
   
   
 

Most regular employees in Japan, except management personnel, are union members, principally of the Matsushita Electric Industrial Workers Union, which is affiliated with the Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union.
As is customary in Japan, Matsushita negotiates annually with the unions and grants annual wage increases and semiannual bonuses. Matsushita also renews the terms and conditions of labor contracts, other than those relating to wages and bonuses, every other year. In recent years, Matsushita has been introducing in Japan new comprehensive employment and personnel systems to satisfy the diversified needs of employees.
Such systems include an individual performance-oriented annual salary system, a regional-based employee remuneration system and an alternative payment system under which employees can receive retirement and fringe benefits up front as an addition to their monthly salary.
For a quarter century, Matsushita has not experienced any major labor strikes or disputes. Matsushita considers its labor relations to be excellent.
The number of voluntary retirees of special early retirement programs implemented for the employees of Matsushita in Japan in the year ended March 31, 2002 was approximately 13,000. They all retired by March 31, 2002.


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E.Share Ownership
(1)The following table lists the number of shares owned by the Directors and Corporate Auditors of the Company as of June 27, 2002. The total is 17,354,622 shares constituting 0.81% of all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.
Number of Matsushita Shares
NamePositionOwned as of June 27, 2002



Yoichi MorishitaChairman of the Board of Directors75,305
Masayuki MatsushitaVice Chairman of the Board of Directors7,884,721
Kunio NakamuraPresident and Director26,000
Atsushi MurayamaExecutive Vice President and Director24,164
Takashi KawadaExecutive Vice President and Director5,815
Kazuo TodaSenior Managing Director20,235
Osamu TanakaSenior Managing Director18,750
Sukeichi MikiSenior Managing Director14,000
Yukio ShohtokuManaging Director22,277
Takami SanoManaging Director18,033
Susumu KoikeManaging Director12,562
Fumio OhtsuboManaging Director15,000
Haruo UenoManaging Director21,000
Hidetsugu OtsuruManaging Director14,000
Yoshiaki KushikiManaging Director9,000
Josei ItoDirector3,000
Toshio MorikawaDirector5,000
Hiroaki EnomotoDirector18,000
Toshio SugiuraDirector8,030
Tetsuya KawakamiDirector7,167
Hideaki IwataniDirector7,000
Yoshitaka HayashiDirector10,798
Toshihiro SakamotoDirector6,278
Masaki AkiyamaDirector7,000
Yoichiro MaekawaDirector18,274
Tomikazu IseDirector10,712
Masaharu MatsushitaHonorary Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Advisor9,034,980
Motoi MatsudaSenior Corporate Auditor16,840
Yoshitomi NagaokaSenior Corporate Auditor14,681
Toshiomi UragamiCorporate Auditor3,000
Kiyosuke ImaiCorporate Auditor3,000

Total17,354,622


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In May 1998, the Board of Directors decided to implement the Company’s first stock option plan for Board members and select senior executives, and to purchase the Company’s own shares for transfer to them under the plan, pursuant to Article 210-2 of the Japanese Commercial Code. Upon approval at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June 1998 and subsequent Board of Directors’ resolutions, stock options (rights to purchase common shares) were provided to the then 32 Directors on the Board and four select senior executives in amounts ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 shares of common stock each, exercisable from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2004, at an exercise price of 2,291 yen per share, which was calculated by a formula approved by shareholders at the said annual shareholders meeting. To cover these options, the Company in early July 1998 purchased on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) a total of 113,000 shares of common stock with an aggregate purchase price of approximately 252 million yen.
At the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June 1999, the shareholders again approved a stock option plan for Board members and select senior executives. The then 32 Directors on the Board and four select senior executives were granted stock options at a price of 2,476 yen per share, exercisable from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2005, ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 shares of common stock each. For this purpose, the Company in early August 1999 purchased on the TSE a total of 116,000 shares of common stock with an aggregate purchase price of approximately 287 million yen.
In June 2000, another stock option plan for Board members and select senior executives was approved at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders. The then 28 Directors on the Board and five select senior executives were granted stock options ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 shares of common stock each, at a price of 2,815 yen per share, exercisable from July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2006. For the stock option plan, the Company in early July 2000 purchased on the TSE a total of 109,000 shares of common stock with an aggregate purchase price of approximately 306 million yen.
In June 2001, another stock option plan for Board members and select senior executives was approved at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders. The then 30 Directors on the Board and nine select senior executives were granted stock options ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 shares of common stock each, at a price of 2,163 yen per share, exercisable from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2007. For the stock option plan, the Company in early July 2001 purchased on the TSE a total of 128,000 shares of common stock with an aggregate purchase price of approximately 250 million yen.
In June 2002, the Company obtained approval of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders regarding the issue of stock acquisition rights as stock options (the Stock Acquisition Rights) for Board members and select senior executives, pursuant to Articles 280-20 and 280-21 of the Japanese Commercial Code, as amended. Upon the shareholders’ approval, the Board of Directors has adopted resolutions to issue at no charge an aggregate of 116 Stock Acquisition Rights, each representing a stock option to purchase 1,000 shares of common stock of the Company, to the current 27 Directors on the Board and eight select senior executives. The Stock Acquisition Rights are exercisable during the period from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2008. The amount to be paid by qualified persons upon exercise of each Stock Acquisition Right is set at 1,734 yen per share of common stock.


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(2)The Company’s full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Matsushita Electric Employee Shareholding Association, whereby participating employees contribute a portion of their salaries to the Association and the Association purchases shares of the Company’s common stock on their behalf. The Company provides a 10% subsidy on top of any funds employees contribute to the Association. As of March 31, 2002, the Association owned 29,337 thousand shares of the Company’s common stock constituting 1.37% of all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

Item7.Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

A.Major Shareholders
(1)To the knowledge of the Company, no shareholders beneficially own more than five percent of the Company’s common stock, which is the only class of stock it has issued. The ten largest shareholders of record and their share holdings as of the end of the last fiscal year are as follows:

         
  Share ownership    
  (in thousands of Percentage of total
Name shares) issued shares

 
 
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation  97,648   4.56%
Japan Trustee Services Bank, Ltd. (trust account)  96,773   4.52 
Moxley & Co.  95,319   4.45 
Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.  76,764   3.58 
The Mitsubishi Trust and Banking Co. (trust account)  67,632   3.16 
Nippon Life Insurance Co.  65,751   3.07 
Matsushita Investment & Development Co., Ltd.  55,229   2.58 
UFJ Trust Bank Ltd. (trust account A)  42,230   1.97 
The Asahi Bank, Ltd.  41,704   1.95 
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd.  34,445   1.61 

Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be adopted at a general meeting of shareholders by a majority of the shares having voting rights represented at the meeting. The Commercial Code and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide, however, that the quorum for the election of Directors and Corporate Auditors shall not be less than one-third of the total number of voting rights of all the shareholders. The Company’s shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of Directors. A corporate shareholder, more than one-quarter of whose total voting rights are directly or indirectly owned by the Company, may not exercise its voting rights in respect of the shares of the Company. The Company has no voting rights with respect to its own common stock. Shareholders may exercise their voting rights through proxies provided that the proxies are also shareholders holding voting rights. The Company’s shareholders also may cast their votes in writing. Shareholders may also exercise their voting rights by electronic means when the Board of Directors decides to permit such method of exercising voting rights.


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The Commercial Code provides that in order to amend the Articles of Incorporation and in certain other instances, including a reduction of the stated capital, the removal of a Director or a Corporate Auditor, dissolution, merger or consolidation of the Company requiring shareholders resolutions, the transfer of the whole or an important part of the business, the taking over of the whole of the business of any other corporation, share exchange or share transfer requiring shareholders resolutions for the purpose of establishing 100% parent-subsidiary relationships, splitting of the corporation into two or more corporations requiring shareholders resolutions, any offering of new shares at a “specially favorable” price (or any offering of stock acquisition rights to subscribe for or acquire shares of capital stock (“stock acquisition rights”) or bonds with stock acquisition rights at a “specially favorable” exercise conditions) to any persons other than shareholders, the quorum shall be a majority of the total number of shares having voting rights outstanding and the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares having voting rights represented at the meeting is required (the “special shareholders resolution”).
(2)As of March 31, 2002, approximately 8.58% of the Company’s common stock was owned by 176 United States shareholders including the ADR Depositary’s nominee, Moxley & Co., considered as one shareholder of record, owning approximately 4.45 % of the total common stock.
(3)Matsushita is not, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by other corporations, by the Japanese government or any foreign government or by any natural or legal person or persons severally or jointly.
(4)As far as is known to the Company, there is no arrangement, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of Matsushita.

B.Related Party Transactions
Matsushita is not a party to any material related party transactions.

C.Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable

Item8.Financial Information

A.Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
(1)Consolidated Statements
Refer to Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (see Item 17).
Finished goods and materials sent out of Japan are mainly bound for consolidated subsidiaries of the Matsushita Group, and are not, therefore, recorded as exports on a consolidated basis. For this reason, the proportion of exports to total net sales is not significant.


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(2)Legal Proceedings

In November 1991, Loral Fairchild Corporation, a Delaware corporation, filed two lawsuits in the United States District Court for the District of Virginia against the Company, Matsushita Electric Corporation of America and 36 other defendants. The suits were consolidated. All defendants were charged with infringement of two U.S. patents by virtue of the production abroad and sale in the United States of certain charge coupled devices (CCDs), which are used in products such as video cameras and facsimile machines. In December 1991, this action was transferred to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The action seeks damages, attorneys’ fees and a permanent injunction. The Company has asserted that the patents are invalid and not infringed upon by its products incorporating CCDs. This litigation has been bifurcated between liability and damages and has been stayed as to all defendants except one defendant. In a first liability trial involving this defendant, a jury held that it infringed the two U.S. patents at issue. In July 1996, the court granted, among other things, its subsequent motion for judgment as a matter of law, overturning the verdict. Loral Fairchild Corporation appealed this decision to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and oral argument was held in June 1997. In June 1999, the Federal Circuit affirmed the district court’s claim construction and its non-infringement decision.

In July 1992, Matsushita Electronics Corporation (MEC)(MEC, a former subsidiary now merged into the Company), which manufactures CCDs, commenced a suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking a declaration that MEC’s CCDs and all end products incorporating MEC’s CCDs (collectively “products”) are licensed under the two U.S. patents at issue. In April 1993, the district court granted MEC’s motion for summary judgment and ruled that the products were licensed. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the decision in September 1994, and denied Loral Fairchild’s petition for rehearing in November 1994. MEC’s tort claim against Loral Fairchild and its parent, Loral Corporation, concerning certain liability issues was denied by the District Court in August 1997. The decision has not been appealed.


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Matsushita is a co-defendant in a class-action lawsuit relating to the acquisition of MCA in 1990. Certain former stockholders of MCA who tendered their shares to Matsushita in such acquisition brought actions in the United States District Court for the Central District of California claiming, in part, that the Company violated Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14d-10 by treating the then chairman and chief executive officer of MCA differently than other MCA stockholders in such acquisition. The district court denied plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment and subsequently granted Matsushita’s motion for summary judgment in 1992. The United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, reversed, in part, finding that the Company violated Rule 14d-10 and remanded for further proceedings to determine damages. The Company has filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court. In February 1996, the Court reversed, finding that the separate class-action settlement judgment rendered by the Delaware Supreme Court is entitled to full faith and credit even though it released claims within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts, and remanded for proceedings consistent with the Court’s opinion. In October 1997, the Ninth Circuit further reversed, holding that it should withhold full faith and credit from the Delaware judgment, because, as a matter of law, plaintiffs were not adequately represented in Delaware. The Ninth Circuit reheard the case and, in June 1999, withdrew its 1997 opinion and affirmed the district court’s 1992 decision dismissing the action. In November 1999, the United States Supreme Court denied plaintiffs’ petition for a writ of certiorari. In December 1999, the Ninth Circuit issued its decision and mandate affirming the district court’s 1992 decision. Certain of the plaintiffs who opted out of the Delaware settlement have asked the Ninth Circuit to clarify that its decision and mandate do not purport to terminate the federal claims of the 19 former MCA stockholders who opted out of the Delaware settlement.

In December 1999, certain plaintiffs in the federal action moved to intervene and reopen the final settlement judgement entered by the Delaware Court of Chancery in February 1993 and affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court in September 1993. Oral argument on this motion was held in May 2000.

Management is of the opinion that, based on the information currently available, any outcome of these actions against Matsushita will not have a material adverse effect on Matsushita’s operations or financial position.

There are a number of other legal actions and administrative investigations against the Company and subsidiaries.Matsushita. Management is of the opinion that damages, based on the information currently available, if any, resulting from these actions will not have a material effect on Matsushita’s results of operations or financial position.
 
(3) Dividend Policy
  Maximizing benefit for shareholders has always been one of the fundamental policies of the Company. Consistent with this policy, Matsushita traditionally has distributed regular dividends to its shareholders on a periodic basis. However, due to factors including the severe economic conditions outlined in Section A of item 5, as well as unsatisfactory business results for fiscal 2002, the Board of Directors resolved to decrease the annual cash dividend.
At the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 27, 2002, a year-end cash dividend of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. was approved at the rate of 3.75 yen per share of common stock. The Company had already paid an interim dividend of 6.25 yen per share to each shareholder; accordingly the annual cash dividend per share was 10.00 yen.


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Item 4.Control of RegistrantMatsushita plans to utilize retained earnings for future business growth and to strengthen the corporate management structure.

B.Significant Changes
No significant changes have occurred since the date of the annual financial statements included in this annual report.

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

A.Offer and Listing Details
 
(a)Matsushita is not, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by other corporations or by the Japanese government or any foreign government.
  
(b)(1)To the knowledge of the Company, no person owns more than ten percent of any class of the Company’s common stock.
(2)The total number of the Company’s voting securities beneficially owned by the Directors and Corporate Auditors as a group as of March 31, 2000 is as follows:

         
Identity ofNumber ofPercent
Title of classperson or groupshares ownedof class




       
Common StockDirectors and Corporate18,437,9530.89%
    Auditors — 36 personsshares


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(c)As far as is known to the Company, there is no arrangement, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of Matsushita.
Item 5.Nature of Trading Market

Common Stock, American Depositary Receipts

The primary market for the Company’s Common Stockcommon stock (Common Stock) is the Tokyo Stock Exchange (the “TSE”)(TSE). The Common Stock is traded on the First Section of the TSE and is also listed on fivefour other stock exchanges in Japan. In addition, the Company’s Common Stock is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange and the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange in the form of original Common Stock underof the ASAS system,Company, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and Duesseldorf Stock Exchange in the form of co-ownership shares in a Global Bearer Certificate and on the Paris Stock Exchange in the form of original Common Stock of the Company.Certificate. In the United States, the Company’s American Depositary Shares (ADSs) have been listed on and traded in the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”)(NYSE) and the Pacific Exchange in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”)(ADRs). There may from time to time be a differential between the Common Stock’s price on exchanges outside the United States and the market price of the American Depositary SharesADSs in the United States.

ADRs are issuablewere originally issued pursuant to a Deposit Agreement dated as of April 28, 1970, as amended and restated as of November 20, 1975 and as further amended as of October 1, 1982 (the “Deposit Agreement”)from time to time (Deposit Agreement), among the Company, JP Morgan Chase Bank of New York, the successor entity to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Depositary (the “Depositary”)(Depositary), and the holders of ADRs. Effective December 11, 2000, Matsushita again revised its ADR Deposit Agreement and executed a 10:1 ADS ratio change. As a result, one ADS now represents one share of Common Stock. ADRs evidence American Depositary Shares, each representing 10 shares of Common StockADSs deposited under the Deposit Agreement with The Sumitomo Bank, Limited,Mitsui Banking Corporation, as agent of the Depositary, or any successor or successorssuccessor(s) to such agent or agents.

agent(s).

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the reported high and low sales prices of the Company’s Common Stock on the TSE, and the reported high and low sales composite prices of the Company’s ADSs on the NYSE:

                 
  Tokyo Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange
  
  
 
  Price per Share of Price per American
  Common Stock (yen) Depositary Share (dollars)*
  
  
 
Fiscal Year ended March 31 High Low High Low

 
 
 
 
1998  2,520   1,750   21.10   13.51 
1999  2,375   1,640   19.50   12.80 
2000  3,320   2,050   30.30   17.35 
2001  3,190   1,932   29.90   16.00 
2002  2,360   1,398   19.43   11.14 


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Tokyo Stock ExchangeNew York Stock Exchange


Price per Share ofPrice per American
Common Stock (yen)Depositary Share (dollars)*


Fiscal Year ended March 31HighLowHighLow





2001                
        1st quarter  3,070   2,410   29.28   22.65 
        2nd quarter  2,995   2,660   28.18   25.05 
        3rd quarter  3,190   2,430   29.90   22.13 
        4th quarter  2,800   1,932   25.25   16.00 
2002                
        1st quarter  2,360   1,901   19.43   15.35 
        2nd quarter   1,960   1,402   15.92   11.50 
        3rd quarter  1,697   1,398   13.89   11.60 
        4th quarter  1,826   1,482   14.50   11.14 
2003                
        1st quarter  1,787   1,528   14.64   12.13 
 
Most recent 6 months  High Low High Low





January, 2002                 1,815   1,623   13.70   12.35 
February, 2002                 1,725   1,482   12.83   11.14 
March, 2002  1,826   1,573   14.50   12.21 
April, 2002  1,749   1,576   13.66   12.13 
May, 2002  1,787   1,628   14.64   12.76 
June, 2002  1,783   1,528   14.47   12.51 

*The prices of American Depositary Shares are based upon reports by the NYSE, with all fractional figures rounded up to the nearest two decimal points. The prices of ADSs, prior to the December 11, 2000 ADS ratio change, have been restated on the NYSE:
                     
Tokyo Stock ExchangeNew York Stock Exchange


Price per Share ofPrice per American
Common Stock (yen)Depositary Share (dollars)*


Calendar PeriodHighLowHighLow





         
1998
1st quarter2,1401,820163.94143.06
2nd quarter2,2802,025171.00147.88
3rd quarter2,3751,800170.00130.50
4th quarter2,1551,640182.25128.00
1999
1st quarter2,3551,878195.00157.50
2nd quarter2,5202,135207.00173.50
3rd quarter2,9802,050239.00198.00
4th quarter2,9152,050299.63191.00
2000
1st quarter3,3202,640303.00249.00
         
*The prices of American Depositary Shares, each representing 10 shares of Common Stock, are based upon reports by the NYSE, with all fractional figures rounded up to the nearest two decimal points.
current basis that each ADS represents one share of Common Stock.


B.Plan of Distribution
Not applicable

C.Markets
See Section A of Item 9.

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D.Selling Shareholders
Not applicable


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E.Dilution
Not applicable

F.Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable

Item10.Additional Information

A.Share Capital
Not applicable

B.Memorandum and Articles of Association
Organization
The Company is a joint stock corporation(kabushiki kaisha)incorporated in Japan under the Commercial Code(shoho)of Japan. It is registered in the Commercial Register(shogyo tokibo)maintained by the Moriguchi Branch Office of the Osaka Legal Affairs Bureau and several other registry offices of the Ministry of Justice.
Objects and purposes
Article 3 of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provides that its purpose is to engage in the following lines of business:

1.manufacture and sale of electric machinery and equipment, communication and electronic equipment, as well as lighting equipment;
2.manufacture and sale of gas, kerosene and kitchen equipment, as well as machinery and equipment for building and housing;
3.manufacture and sale of machinery and equipment for office and transportation, as well as for sales activities;
4.manufacture and sale of medical, health and hygienic equipment, apparatus and material;
5.manufacture and sale of optical and precision machinery and equipment;
6.manufacture and sale of batteries, battery-operated products, carbon and manganese and other chemical and metal products;
7.manufacture and sale of air conditioning and anti-pollution equipment, as well as industrial machinery and equipment;


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8.manufacture and sale of other machinery and equipment;
9.engineering and installation of machinery and equipment related to any of the preceding items as well as engineering and performance of and contracting for other construction work;
10.production and sale of software;
11.sale of iron and steel, nonferrous metals, minerals, oil, gas, ceramics, paper, pulp, rubber, leather, fibre and their products;
12.sale of foods, beverages, liquor and other alcoholics, agricultural, livestock, dairy and marine produces, animal feed and their raw materials;
13.manufacture and sale of drugs, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, fertilizer, poisonous and deleterious substance and other chemical products;
14.sale of woods and other construction materials and general merchandise;
15.motion picture and musical entertainment business and promotion of sporting events;
16.export and import of products, materials and software mentioned in each of the preceding items (other than item 9);
17.providing repair and maintenance services for the products, goods and software mentioned in each of the preceding items for itself and on behalf of others;
18.provision of information and communication services, and broadcasting business;
19.provision of various services utilizing the Internet including Internet access and e-commerce;
20.business related to publishing, printing, freight forwarding, security, maintenance of buildings, nursing care, dispatch of workers, general leasing, financing, non-life insurance agency and buying, selling, maintaining and leasing of real estate;
21.investment in various businesses;
22.accepting commission for investigations, research, development and consulting related to any of the preceding items; and
23.all other business or businesses incidental or related to any of the preceding items.


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Directors
Under the Commercial Code, each Director has executive powers and duties to manage the affairs of the Company and each Representative Director, who is elected from among the Directors by the Board of Directors, has the statutory authority to represent the Company in all respects. Under the Commercial Code, the Directors must refrain from engaging in any business competing with the Company unless approved by the Board of Directors and any Director who has a material interest in the subject matter of a resolution to be taken by the Board of Directors cannot vote on such resolution. The total amount of remuneration to Directors and that to Corporate Auditors are subject to the approval of the general meeting of shareholders. Within such authorized amounts the Board of Directors and the Board of Corporate Auditors respectively determine the compensation to each Director and Corporate Auditor.
Except as stated below, neither the Commercial Code nor the Company’s Articles of Incorporation make special provisions as to the Directors’ or Corporate Auditors’ power to vote in connection with their compensation, the borrowing power exercisable by a Representative Director (or a Director who is given power by a Representative Director to exercise such power), their retirement age or requirement to hold any shares of capital stock of the Company. The Commercial Code specifically requires the resolution of the Board of Directors for a company to acquire or dispose of material assets; to borrow a substantial amount of money; to employ or discharge from employment important employees, such as corporate executive officers; and to establish, change or abolish material corporate organization such as a branch office. The Regulations of the Board of Directors of the Company require a resolution of the Board of Directors for the Company to borrow a large amount of money or to give a guarantee in a large amount. There is no written rule as to what constitutes a “large” amount in these contexts. However, it has been the general practice of the Company’s Board of Directors to adopt a resolution for a borrowing in an amount not less than 10 billion yen or its equivalent.
Common Stock
General
Set forth below is information relating to the Company’s Common Stock, including brief summaries of the relevant provisions of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Share Handling Regulations, as currently in effect, and of the Commercial Code of Japan and related legislation. The discussion of the Commercial Code below reflects certain amendments to the Commercial Code, which became effective on October 1, 2001 (the “2001 Amendments”) and April 1, 2002 (the “2002 Amendments”).
In order to assert shareholders’ rights against the Company, a shareholder must have its name and address registered on the Company’s register of shareholders, in accordance with the Company’s Share Handling Regulations. The registered beneficial holder of deposited shares underlying the ADSs is the Depositary for the ADSs. Accordingly, holders of ADSs will not be able directly to assert shareholders’ rights to the Company.
Authorized capital
Article 5 of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provides that the total number of shares authorized to be issued by the Company is four billion nine hundred and fifty million (4,950,000,000) shares.


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As of March 31, 2000, approximately 8.63%2002, 2,138,514,603 shares of Common Stock without having any par value were issued and outstanding.
The 2001 Amendments eliminated the concept of “par value” of shares of capital stock. Thus, all shares of capital stock of the Company’s Common Stock was ownedCompany have no par value.
Dividends
The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the accounts shall be closed on March 31 of each year and that dividends, if any, shall be paid to shareholders, beneficial shareholders and pledgees of record as of the end of such day. After the close of the fiscal period, the Board of Directors prepares, among other things, a proposed allocation of profits for dividends and other purposes; this proposal is submitted to the Board of Corporate Auditors of the Company and to independent certified public accountants and then submitted for approval to the ordinary general meeting of shareholders, which is normally held in June each year. In addition to provisions for dividends, if any, and for the legal reserve and other reserves, the allocation of profits customarily includes a bonus to Directors and Corporate Auditors. In addition to year-end dividends, the Board of Directors may by its resolution declare a totalcash distribution pursuant to Article 293-5 of 227 United Statesthe Commercial Code (an “interim dividend”) to shareholders, including the Depositary’s nominee, considered as one shareholderbeneficial shareholders and pledgees of record owning approximately 1.93%as of the total Common Stock.

Item 6.Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders

(a)Japanese Foreign Exchange Controls

Effective April 1, 1998 the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law was amended and the title of the statute was changed to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law. Under the amended Law all aspects of regulations on foreign exchange and foreign trade transactions which were subject to licensing or other approval or prior notification requirements are, with minor exceptions relating to inward direct investments (which are not generally applicable to the Company’s shares), now subject to post transaction reporting requirements. Acquisitions and dispositions of shares of Common Stock or American Depository Shares by non-residents of Japan (including foreign corporations not resident in Japan) are generally not subject to this reporting requirement. However, the Minister of Finance has the power to impose a licensing requirement for certain transactions in limited circumstances. Under the Foreign Exchange Law as currently in effect, dividends paid on, and the proceeds of sales in Japan of, shares held by non-residents of Japan may in general be converted into any foreign currency and repatriated abroad.
(b)Description of Common Stock

Set forth below is certain information relating to the Common Stock of the Company, including brief summaries of certain provisions of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Share Handling Regulations, as currently in effect, and of the Commercial Code of Japan relating to a joint stock company (Kabushiki Kaisha) and certain related legislation.

General

The presently authorized capital stock of the Company is 4,950,000,000 shares, which may be issued with a par value orend of each September 30, without a par value. The Commercial Code requires that shares be in registered form. Under the Commercial Code shares are transferable by delivery of share certificates, but in order to assert shareholders’ rights against the Company, the transferee must have his name registered in the Company’s register of shareholders. All of the presently outstanding shares of the Company are of a par value of 50 yen per share. The Company may, by a resolution of the Board of Directors, convert par value shares into non-par value shares orvice versa. Shareholders are required to file their names, addresses and seals with The Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking Company, Limited, the transfer agent for the Company’s Common Stock, and shareholders not resident in Japan are required to file a mailing address in Japan or appoint a resident proxy in Japan. These requirements do not apply to the holders of ADRs.


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The central clearing system of share certificates under the Law Concerning Central Clearing of Share Certificates and Other Securities of Japan applies to the shares of Common Stock of the Company. Pursuant to this system a holder of shares of Common Stock is able to choose, at his discretion, to participate in this system by depositing shares of Common Stock with the Japan Securities Depository Center (“JASDEC”), the sole depositary under the system (through a participating institution, such as a securities company or bank, having a clearing account with the clearing house, if the holder is not a participating institution), and all such shares are registered in the name of JASDEC in the Company’s register of shareholders. Each participating shareholder is in turn registered in the register of beneficial shareholders and treated the same way as shareholders registered in the Company’s register of shareholders. For the purpose of transferring the deposited shares, delivery of share certificates is not required. In general, beneficial owners of deposited shares registered in the register of beneficial owners are entitled to the same rights and benefits as the holders of shares registered in the register of shareholders. The registered beneficial owners may exercise the rights attached to the shares, such as voting rights, and will receive dividends (if any) and notices to shareholders directly from the Company. The shares held by a person as a registered shareholder and those held by the same person as a registered beneficial owner are aggregated for these purposes. New shares issued with respect to deposited shares, including those issued upon a stock split, automatically become deposited shares. The beneficial owners are required to file with the Company’s transfer agent, principally through the relevant participating institution, the same information as is required from the registered shareholders. Beneficial owners may at any time withdraw their shares from deposit and receive share certificates.

Dividends

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the accounts shall be closed on March 31 of each year and that dividends, if any, shall be paid to the shareholders, beneficial shareholders and pledgees of record as of the end of such fiscal period. After the close of the fiscal period, the Board of Directors prepares, among other things, a proposed allocation of profits for dividends and other purposes; this proposal is submitted to the Corporate Auditors of the Company and to independent certified public accountants and then submitted for approval to the ordinary general meeting of shareholders, which is normally held in June each year. In addition to provisions for dividends, if any, and for the legal reserve and other reserves, the allocation of profits customarily includes a bonus to Directors and Corporate Auditors. In addition to annual dividends, the Board of Directors of the Company may by its resolution declare a cash distribution pursuant to Article 293-5 of the Commercial Code (an “interim dividend”) to shareholders, beneficial shareholders and pledgees who are registered in the Company’s register of shareholders or beneficial shareholders at the end of each September 30, without prior shareholder approval, but subject to the limitations described below.

The Commercial Code provides that a company may not make any distribution of profits
The Commercial Code provides that a company may not make any distribution of profit by way of dividends or interim dividends for any fiscal period unless it has set aside in its legal reserve an amount equal to at least one-tenth of the amount paid by way of appropriation of retained earnings for such fiscal period or of the amount of such interim dividends until the aggregate amount of capital surplus and legal reserve equals to at least one-tenth of the amount paid by way of appropriation of retained earnings for such fiscal period until the legal reserve is one-quarter of its stated capital. Under the Commercial Code, the Company is permitted to distribute profits by way of year-end or interim dividends out of the excess of its net assets over the aggregate of:

 (i) 
(i)its stated capital;
(ii)its capital surplus;
(iii)its accumulated legal reserve;
(iv)the legal reserve to be set aside in respect of the fiscal period concerned;


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(v)the excess, if any, of unamortized expenses incurred in preparation for commencement of business and in connection with research and development over the aggregate of amounts referred to in (ii), (iii) and (iv) above;
(vi)if the Company has on its balance sheet a number of shares of its Common Stock which the Company has acquired for the purpose of transferring the same to its Directors and/or employees but such shares are yet to be so transferred, the book value of such shares; and
(vii)if certain assets of the Company are stated at market value pursuant to the provisions of the Commercial Code, the aggregate amount of the unrealized gains in cases when the market value exceeds the acquisition cost.
(ii)its capital surplus;
(iii)its accumulated legal reserve;
(iv)the legal reserve to be set aside in respect of the fiscal period concerned;
(v)the excess, if any, of unamortized expenses incurred in preparation for commencement of business and in connection with research and development over the aggregate of amounts referred to in (ii), (iii) and (iv) above; and
(vi)if certain assets of the Company are stated at market value on such balance sheet pursuant to the provisions of the Commercial Code, the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of their market value over the aggregate acquisition cost thereof.


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 In the case of interim dividends, the net assets are calculated by reference to the non-consolidated balance sheet as at the last closing of the Company’s accounts, but adjusted to reflect; (x) any subsequent payment by way of appropriation of retained earnings and transfer to legal reserve in respect thereof; (y) any subsequent transfer of retained earnings to stated capital; and (z) if the Company has been authorized, pursuant to a resolution of an ordinary general meeting of shareholders, to purchase shares of its Common Stock (see Section B of this Item 10 – Memorandum and Articles of Association –Common StockAcquisition by the Company of its Common Stock), the total amount of the purchase price of such shares so authorized by such resolution that may be paid by the Company, provided that interim dividends may not be paid where there is a risk that at the end of the fiscal year there might not be any excess of net assets over the aggregate of the amounts referred to in (i) through (vi) above.
In Japan the ex-dividend date and the record date for dividends precede the date of determination of the amount of the dividends the net assets are calculated by reference to the balance sheet as at the last closing of the Company’s accounts, but adjusted to reflect any subsequent payment by way of appropriation of retained earnings and transfer to legal reserve in respect thereof, provided that interim dividends may not be paid where there is a risk that at the end of the fiscal year there might not be any excess of net assets over the aggregate of the amounts referred to in (i) through (vii) above. In addition, if the Company’s shareholders have adopted a resolution for the Company’s purchase of shares of its Common Stock for the purpose of transferring the same to its Directors and/or employees or for the purpose of retiring the same with retained earnings, the total amount of purchase price authorized by such resolution shall, so long as such resolution has not expired, and whether or not such purchase has been effected, be deducted from the amount available for interim dividends.

The Commercial Code, currently in effect, does not provide for “stock dividends.” However, under the Commercial Code, the shareholders may by resolution transfer any amount which is distributable as dividends to stated capital and the Board of Directors may by resolution issue additional shares by way of a stock split up to the aggregate par value equal to the amount so transferred; thus, the same effect as a stock dividend can be achieved.
In Japan the “ex-dividend” date and the record date for dividends precede the date of determination of the amount of the dividend to be paid.
 
 Under its Articles of Incorporation, the Company is not obligated to pay any dividends which are left unclaimed for a period of three years after the date on which they first became payable.
For information as to Japanese taxes on shareholder dividends, see Section E of this Item 10 – Taxation – Japanese Taxation.
Stock splits
The Company may at any time split shares in issue into a greater number of shares by resolution of the Board of Directors, and may amend its Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of the authorized shares to be issued in proportion to the relevant stock split in principle pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors rather than a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders which is otherwise required for amending the Articles of Incorporation.
In the event of a stock split, generally, shareholders will not be required to exchange share certificates for new share certificates, but certificates representing the additional shares resulting from the stock split will be issued to shareholders. When a stock split is to be made, the Company must give public notice of the stock split, specifying the record date therefor, at least two weeks prior to such record date. In addition, promptly after the stock split takes effect, the Company must give notice to each shareholder specifying the number of shares to which such shareholder is entitled by virtue of the stock split.
General meeting of shareholders
The ordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company for each fiscal year is normally held in June in each year in Kadoma-shi, Osaka, Japan. In addition, the Company may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders whenever necessary by giving notice of convocation thereof at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting.
Notice of convocation of a shareholders’ meeting setting forth the place, time and purpose thereof, must be mailed to each shareholder having voting rights (or, in the case of a non-resident shareholder, to his or her standing proxy or mailing address in Japan) at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting. Under the Commercial Code, such notice may be given to shareholders by electronic means, subject to the consent by the relevant shareholders. The record date for an ordinary general meeting of shareholders is March 31 of each year.


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Any shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least three percent of the total number of voting rights for a period of six months or more may require the convocation of a general meeting of shareholders for a particular purpose. Unless such shareholders’ meeting is convened promptly or a convocation notice of a meeting which is to be held not later than six weeks from the day of such demand is dispatched, the requiring shareholder may, upon obtaining a court approval, convene such shareholders’ meeting.
Any shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 300 voting rights or one percent of the total number of voting rights for a period of three years after the date on which they first became payable.
Transfer of capital surplus and legal reserve to stated capital and stock splits (free share distributions)
When the Company issues new shares of Common Stock, the entire amount of the issue price of such new shares is required to be accounted for as stated capital, although the Company may account for an amount not exceeding one-half of such issue price as capital surplus (subject to the remainder being not less than the total par value of the new shares being issued). The Board of Directors may transfer the whole or any part of capital surplus and legal reserve to stated capital and grant to shareholders additional shares of Common Stock free of charge by way of a stock split, without affecting the par value thereof, with reference to the whole or any part of the amount of capital surplus and legal reserve so transferred to stated capital; such additional shares may also be granted by reference to the amount representing the portion of the issue price of shares of Common Stock in excess of the par value thereof which has been accounted for as stated capital.


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The Commercial Code permits the Company to make a partially free distribution to shareholders by way of a rights issue at a subscription price per share which is less than the par value thereof if:
(i)the difference between the subscription price and the par value does not exceed the amount of the stated capital minus the aggregate par value of all outstanding shares, divided by the number of new shares to be issued pursuant to such rights issue;
(ii)the sum of the net assets of the Company (as appearing on the latest balance sheet) and the total subscription price, divided by the number of the shares outstanding immediately after the issue of the new shares, is at least 50 yen; and(iii)the subscription rights are made transferable.

In order to satisfy the requirement mentioned in (i) above, the Board of Directors may transfer the whole or any part of capital surplus or legal reserve to stated capital.

General meeting of shareholders

The ordinary general meeting of shareholders to settle accounts of the Company for each fiscal period is normally held in June each year in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. In addition, the Company may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders whenever necessary by giving at least two weeks’ advance notice to shareholders.
Notice of a shareholders’ meeting setting forth the place, time and purpose thereof, must be mailed to each shareholder having voting rights (or, in the case of a non-resident shareholder, to his resident proxy or mailing address in Japan) at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting.
Any shareholder holding at least 300 units of shares or 1% of the total number of outstanding shares for six months or more may propose a matter to be considered at a general meeting of shareholders by submitting a written request to a Representative Director at least six weeks prior to the date set for such meeting.

 Voting rights

A shareholder is entitled to one vote per share subject to the limitations on voting rights set forth in the following paragraph and “ “Unit” share systemVoting rights of a holder of shares representing less than one unit” below. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be adopted at a general meeting of shareholders by a majority of the shares having voting rights represented at the meeting. The Commercial Code and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide, however, that the quorum for the election of Directors and Corporate Auditors shall not be less than one-third of the total number of outstanding shares having voting rights. The Company’s shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of Directors. A corporate shareholder, more than one-quarter of whose outstanding shares are directly or indirectly owned by the Company, may not exercise its voting rights in respect of the shares of the Company. The Company has no voting rights with respect to its own Common Stock. Shareholders may exercise their voting rights through proxies provided that the proxies are also shareholders holding voting rights. The Company’s shareholders also may cast their votes in writing.
Voting rights


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The Commercial Code provides that in order to amend the Articles of Incorporation and in certain other instances, including a reduction of the stated capital, the removal of a Director or Corporate Auditor, dissolution, merger or consolidation of the Company requiring shareholders resolutions, the transfer of the whole or an important part of the business, the taking over of the whole of the business of any other corporation, share exchange or share transfer requiring shareholders resolutions for the purpose of establishing 100% parent-subsidiary relationships, any offering of new shares at a “specially favorable” price (or any offering of convertible bonds or debentures with “specially favorable” conversion conditions or of bonds or debentures with warrants or rights to subscribe for new shares with “specially favorable” conditions) to persons other than shareholders, or granting to Directors and/or employees rights to subscribe for new shares if the Articles of Incorporation so permit the quorum shall be a majority of the total number of shares having voting rights outstanding and the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares having voting rights represented at the meeting is required (the “special shareholders resolution”
So long as the Company maintains the unit share system (see Section B of this Item 10 – Memorandum and Articles of Association –Common StockNew “Unit” share system) a holder of shares constituting one or more whole units is entitled to one voting right per unit of shares subject to the limitations on voting rights set forth in the following paragraph. If the Company eliminates from its Articles of Incorporation the provisions relating to the unit of shares, holders of Common Stock will have one voting right for each share they hold. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be adopted at a general meeting of shareholders by a majority of the number of voting rights of all the shareholders represented at the meeting. The Commercial Code and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide, however, that the quorum for the election of Directors and Corporate Auditors shall not be less than one-third of the total number of voting rights of all the shareholders. The Company’s shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of Directors. The Company or a corporate shareholder more than one-quarter of whose total voting rights are directly or indirectly owned by the Company may not exercise its voting rights with respect to shares of Common Stock of the Company that it owns. Shareholders may exercise their voting rights through proxies, provided that the proxies are also shareholders holding voting rights. The Company’s shareholders also may cast their votes in writing. Shareholders may also exercise their voting rights by electronic means when the Board of Directors decides to permit such method of exercising voting rights.
The Commercial Code provides that in order to amend the Articles of Incorporation and in certain other instances, including a reduction of stated capital, the removal of a Director or Corporate Auditor, dissolution, merger or consolidation with a certain exception under which shareholders’ resolution is not required, the transfer of the whole or an important part of the business, the taking over of the whole of the business of any other corporation with a certain exception under which shareholders resolution is not required, share exchange or share transfer for the purpose of establishing 100 percent parent-subsidiary relationships with a certain exception under which shareholders resolution is not required, splitting of the corporation into two or more corporations with a certain exception under which shareholders resolution is not required, or any offering of new shares at a “specially favorable” price (or any offering of stock acquisition rights to subscribe for or acquire shares of capital stock (“stock acquisition rights”) or bonds with stock acquisition rights at a “specially favorable” exercise conditions) to any persons other than shareholders, the quorum shall be a majority of the total voting rights of all the shareholders and the approval by at least two-thirds of the voting rights of all the shareholders represented at the meeting is required (the “special shareholders resolutions”).

Subscription rights


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Issue of additional shares and pre-emptive rights
Holders of the Company’s shares of Common Stock have no pre-emptive rights under its Articles of Incorporation. Authorized but unissued shares may be issued at such times and upon such terms as the Board of Directors determines, subject to the limitations as to the offering of new shares at a “specially favorable” price mentioned under “Voting rights” above. The Board of Directors may, however, determine that shareholders shall be given subscription rights regarding a particular issue of new shares, in which case such rights must be given on uniform terms to all shareholders as at a record date of which not less than two weeks’ prior public notice must be given. Each of the shareholders to whom such rights are given must also be given notice of the expiry thereof at least two weeks prior to the date on which such rights expire.
Rights to subscribe for new shares may be made generally transferable by the Board of Directors. Whether the Company will make subscription rights generally transferable in future rights offerings will depend upon the circumstances at the time of such offerings. If subscription rights are not made generally transferable, transfers by a non-resident of Japan or a corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country or whose principal office is located in a foreign country will be enforceable against the Company and third parties only if the Company’s prior written consent to each such transfer is obtained. When such consent is necessary in the future for the transfer of subscription rights, the Company intends to consent, on request, to all such transfers by such a non-resident or foreign corporation.
Under the 2002 Amendments, subject to certain requirements, the Company may issue stock acquisition rights by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Holders of stock acquisition rights may exercise their rights to acquire a certain number of shares within the exercise period as prescribed in the terms of their stock acquisition rights. Upon exercise of stock acquisition rights, the Company will be obliged to issue the relevant number of new shares or alternatively to transfer the necessary number of existing shares held by it.
Liquidation rights
In the event of a liquidation of the Company, the assets remaining after payment of all debts and liquidation expenses and taxes will be distributed among shareholders in proportion to the respective numbers of shares of common stock held.
Record date
March 31 is the record date for the Company’s year-end dividends. So long as the Company maintains in its Articles of Incorporation a provision for the unit of shares, the shareholders and beneficial shareholders who are registered as the holders of one unit of shares or more in the Company’s registers of shareholders and/or beneficial shareholders at the end of each March 31 are also entitled to exercise shareholders’ rights at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders with respect to the fiscal year ending on such March 31. September 30 is the record date for interim dividends. In addition, the Company may set a record date for determining the shareholders and/or beneficial shareholders entitled to other rights and for other purposes by giving at least two weeks’ prior public notice.
The price of shares generally goes ex-dividends or ex-rights on Japanese stock exchanges on the third business day prior to a record date (or if the record date is not a business day, the fourth business day prior thereto), for the purpose of dividends or rights offerings.

Holders


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Acquisition by the Company of its Common Stock
The Company may acquire its own shares through a stock exchange on which such shares are listed (pursuant to an ordinary resolution of an ordinary general meeting of shareholders), by way of tender offer (pursuant to an ordinary resolution of an ordinary general meeting of shareholders), or by purchase from a specific party other than a subsidiary of the Company (pursuant to a special resolution of an ordinary general meeting of shareholders) or from a subsidiary of the Company (pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors). When such acquisition is made by the Company from a specific party other than a subsidiary of the Company, any other shareholder may make a demand to a Representative Director, more than five calendar days prior to the relevant shareholders’ meeting, that the Company also purchase the shares held by such shareholder. Any such acquisition of shares must satisfy certain requirements, including that the total amount of the purchase price may not exceed the amount of the retained earnings available for dividend payments after taking into account any reduction, if any, of the stated capital, capital surplus or legal reserve (if such reduction of the stated capital, capital surplus or legal reserve has been authorized pursuant to a resolution of the relevant ordinary general meeting of shareholders), minus the amount to be paid by way of appropriation of retained earnings for the relevant fiscal year and the amount to be transferred to stated capital. However, if it is anticipated that the net assets on the balance sheet as at the end of the immediately following fiscal year will be less than the aggregate amount of the stated capital, capital surplus and other items as described in (i) through (vi) of“Dividends”above, the Company may not acquire such shares.
Shares acquired by the Company may be held by it for any period or may be cancelled by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Company may also transfer to any person the shares held by it, subject to a resolution of the Board of Directors, and subject also to other requirements similar to those applicable to the issuance of new shares, as described in “Issue of additional shares and pre-emptive rights”above. The Company may also utilize its treasury stock for the purpose of transfer to any person upon exercise of stock acquisition rights or for the purpose of acquiring another company by way of merger, share exchange or corporate split through exchange of treasury stock for shares or assets of the acquired company.
The Company repurchased 59,586,000 shares in the market between January 11 and April 19, 2002. As of April 30, 2002, the Company holds 60,455,097 shares of its own shares. The ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 27, 2002 approved the Company to repurchase its own shares up to 180,000,000 shares during the period between late June 2002 and late June 2003.
New “Unit” share system
The 2001 Amendments introduced a new unit share system called “tangen-kabushiki.”
Pursuant to these amendments and the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, 1,000 shares constitute one unit. Although the number of shares constituting a new unit is included in the Articles of Incorporation, any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation reducing (but not increasing) the number of shares constituting a unit or eliminating the provisions for the unit of the Company’s Common Stock have no pre-emptive rights under its Articles of Incorporation. Authorized but unissued shares may be made by the resolution of the Board of Directors rather than by the special shareholders resolution, which is otherwise required for amending the Articles of Incorporation. The number of shares constituting one new unit, however, cannot exceed 1,000 or one two-hundredth (1/200) of all issued at such times and upon such terms as the Board of Directors determines, subject to the limitations as to the offering of new shares at a “specially favorable” price mentioned above. The Board of Directors may, however, determine that shareholders shall be given subscription rights regarding a particular issue of new shares, in which case such rights must be given on uniform terms to all shareholders as at a record date of which not less than two weeks’ public notice must be given. Each of the shareholders to whom such rights are given must also be given notice of the expiry thereof at least two weeks prior to the date on which such rights expire.
Rights to subscribe for new shares may be made generally transferable by the Board of Directors. Whether the Company will make subscription rights generally transferable in future rights offerings will depend upon the circumstances at the time of such offerings. If subscription rights are not made generally transferable, transfers by a non-resident of Japan or a corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country or whose principal office is located in a foreign country will be enforceable against the Company and third parties only if the Company’s prior written consent to each such transfer is obtained. When such consent is necessary in the future for the transfer of subscription rights, the Company intends to consent, on request, to all such transfers by such a non-resident or foreign corporation.
The Commercial Code permits a company to provide in its articles of incorporation that it may, by a special shareholders resolution, grant to its directors and/or employees rights to subscribe for new shares if there exists a justifiable reason. The Company’s Articles of Incorporation do not so provide.


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Dilution

In the future it is possible that market conditions and other factors might make a rights offering to shareholders at par or substantially below the market price of shares of Common Stock desirable. If the number of shares offered in a rights offering is substantial in relation to the number of shares outstanding and the market price exceeds the subscription price at the time of the offering, a shareholder who does not exercise and is unable otherwise to realize the full value of his subscription rights would suffer economic dilution of his equity interest in the Company. If a substantial amount of stock option rights for new shares are granted to the Company’s Directors and/or employees with the exercise price below the market price of the shares, existing shareholders’ equity interest in the Company will be diluted.

Liquidation rights

In the event of a liquidation of the Company, the assets remaining after payment of all debts and liquidation expenses and taxes will be distributed among the shareholders in proportion to the respective numbers of shares held.

Liability to further calls or assessments

All the Company’s presently outstanding shares of Common Stock including shares represented by the American Depository Shares are fully paid and non-assessable.

Transfer agent

The Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking Company, Limited is the transfer agent for the Company’s Common Stock; as such transfer agent, it keeps the Company’s registers of shareholders and beneficial shareholders in its office at 2-21, Kitahama 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan, and makes transfer of record ownership upon presentation of the certificates representing the transferred shares.

Record date


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—Voting rights under the new unit share system

 March 31 is the record date for the Company’s year-end dividends. The shareholders and beneficial shareholders who are registered as the holders of 1,000 shares or more in the Company’s register of shareholders and/or beneficial shareholders at the end of each March 31 are also entitled to exercise shareholders’ rights at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders with respect to the fiscal period ending on such March 31. September 30 is the record date for interim dividends. In addition, the Company may set a record date for determining the shareholders and beneficial shareholders entitled to other rights and for other purposes by giving at least two weeks’ public notice.

The price of the shares generally goes ex-dividend or ex-rights on Japanese stock exchanges on the third business day prior to a record date (or if the record date is not a business day, the fourth business day prior thereto), for the purpose of dividends or rights offerings.
Under the new unit share system, shareholders shall have one voting right for each unit of shares that they hold. Any number of shares less than a full unit will carry no voting rights.


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 Repurchase by the Company of its Common Stock

Except as otherwise permitted by the Commercial Code and the Law of Special Exception to the Commercial Code Concerning Retirement of Shares (the “Special Retirement Law”) as set out below, the Company or any of its subsidiaries cannot acquire the Company’s Common Stock except by means of a reduction of capital in the manner provided in the Commercial Code. The Company may acquire its Common Stock in response to a shareholder’s request for purchase of his shares representing less than one unit. See “ “Unit” share systemRights of a holder of shares representing less than one unit to require the Company to purchase such shares” below. Shares so purchased must be sold or otherwise transferred to a third party within a reasonable period thereafter.
—Share certificates for less than a unit

 Under the Commercial Code and the Special Retirement Law the Company may acquire its Common Stock for the following purposes, subject to the authorization of shareholders at an ordinary general meeting (if the Articles of Incorporation provide that the shares may be purchased for the purpose of retirement by resolution of the Board of Directors if the Board deems it especially necessary to do so in view of general economic conditions, the business and financial condition of the Company and other factors, by the resolution of the Board of Directors):
(i)for the purpose of transferring the same to its Directors and/or employees if there exists a justifiable reason; and
(ii)for the purpose of retirement thereof with retained earnings.
Unless the Company’s Board of Directors adopts a resolution to eliminate the provision for the unit shares from the Articles of Incorporation or the shareholders amend the Articles of Incorporation by a special shareholders resolution to eliminate the provision not to issue share certificates for less than a unit of shares, a share certificate for any number of shares less than a unit will in general not be issued. As the transfer of shares normally requires the delivery of the share certificates therefor, any fraction of a unit for which no share certificates are issued is not transferable.

 Acquisition by the Company of shares of its Common Stock for the above purposes is subject to, among other things, the following restrictions:
(i)the number of shares to be acquired does not exceed 10% of all issued and outstanding shares (except in the case of purchase of shares for retirement pursuant to shareholders’ authorization);
(ii)total amount of purchase price does not exceed the amount of the retained earnings available for dividend payment minus the amount to be paid by way of appropriation of retained earnings for the fiscal year and, if any amount of retained earnings is to be capitalized, such amount (if the purchase is made pursuant to the resolution of the Board of Directors as referred to in the parentheses above, one-half of such permitted amount); and
(iii)acquisition shall be made through a stock exchange transaction or by way of tender offer.
—Repurchase by the Company of shares constituting less than a unit

 The Company’s shareholders gave, at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June 1998, an authorization for the acquisition of not exceeding 120,000 shares of Common Stock for the purpose of transferring the same to all its Directors then in office and certain executive employees. Pursuant to such authorization in June 1998, 113,000 shares of Common Stock were purchased for such purpose. Further, the Company’s shareholders gave, at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June 1999, an authorization for the acquisition of not exceeding 120,000 shares of Common Stock for the same purpose. Pursuant to such authorization in June 1999, 116,000 shares of Common Stock were purchased for such purpose. In addition, the Company’s shareholders have, at the general meeting of shareholders held in June 2000, given an authorization for the acquisition of not exceeding 120,000 shares of Common Stock for the same purpose. Pursuant to such authorization in June 2000, 109,000 shares of Common Stock were purchased for such purpose in early July 2000.


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The Company’s shareholders gave, at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June 1998, an authorization for the acquisition, during the period not later than the next ordinary general meeting of shareholders, of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock for the purpose of retirement thereof with retained earnings. Pursuant to such authorization, 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock were purchased and retired with retained earnings during such period.
A holder of shares constituting less than one unit may require the Company to purchase such shares at their market value in accordance with the provisions of the Share Handling Regulations of the Company.

 In June 1998 the Company provided in its Articles of Incorporation to purchase not exceeding 200,000,000 shares by resolution of the Board of Directors for the purpose of retirement thereof with retained earnings. No such purchase pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors may be made after the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders for the fiscal year ending immediately after the Board resolution. No Board resolution has been made for this purpose.
The Special Retirement Law was amended in March 1998 enabling the Company to acquire its own shares for the purpose of retiring the same with capital surplus by resolution of the Board of Directors if the Articles of Incorporation so provide and if the Board deems it especially necessary to do so in view of general economic conditions, the business and financial condition of the Company and other factors. The acquisition of shares under this authorization is subject to the restriction that:
(x)the total amount of the purchase price does not exceed the total amount of capital surplus and accumulated legal reserve minus the amount equal to one-fourth of stated capital; and
(y)if the aggregate of the amounts of (i) through (vii) referred to under “Dividends” above and the amount of interim dividend distributed exceeds the net assets appearing on the balance sheets as at the latest closing of the Company’s accounts, no purchase of shares for this purpose can be made.
—Effect of the unit share system on holders of ADRs

 The Company’s Articles of Incorporation do not so provide.

“Unit” share system
A holder who owns ADRs evidencing less than 1,000 ADSs will indirectly own less than a whole unit of shares of Common Stock. Although, as discussed above, under the unit share system holders of less than a unit have the right to require the Company to purchase their shares, holders of ADRs evidencing ADSs that represent other than integral multiples of whole units are unable to withdraw the underlying shares of Common Stock representing less than a unit and, therefore, are unable, as a practical matter, to exercise the rights to require the Company to purchase such underlying shares unless the Company’s Articles of Incorporation are amended to eliminate the provision not to issue share certificates for the numbers of shares less than a unit. As a result, access to the Japanese markets by holders of ADRs through the withdrawal mechanism will not be available for dispositions of shares of Common Stock in lots less than a unit. The unit share system does not affect the transferability of ADSs, which may be transferred in lots of any size.

 Pursuant to the Commercial Code the Company has adopted 1,000 shares as one unit of shares.

Transferability of shares representing less than one unit
Reporting of substantial shareholdings

 Certificates for shares representing less than one unit may only be issued in certain limited circumstances. Since the transfer of shares normally requires delivery of the certificates therefor, fractions of a unit for which no share certificates are issued are not transferable. Shares representing less than one unit for which share certificates have been issued continue to be transferable, but the transfer may be registered in the Company’s register of shareholders only if the transferee is already a registered shareholder (whether in respect of units or of shares representing less than one unit).


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A holder who owns ADRs evidencing less than 100 American Depository Shares will indirectly own less than a whole unit. Because transfer of ADRs does not require changes in the ownership of the underlying shares of Common Stock, holders of ADRs evidencing American Depository Shares that constitute less than one unit of Common Stock are not affected by such restrictions in their ability to transfer such ADRs. However, because transfers of less than one unit of the underlying shares of Common Stock are normally prohibited under the unit share system, under the Deposit Agreement relating to the ADRs, the right of ADR holders to surrender their ADRs and withdraw the underlying shares of Common Stock for sale in Japan may only be exercised as to whole units of Common Stock. Although, as discussed below, under the unit share system holders of less than a unit have the right to require the Company to purchase their shares, holders of ADRs evidencing American Depository Shares that represent other than integral multiples of whole units are unable to withdraw the underlying shares of Common Stock representing less than one unit and, therefore, are unable, as a practical matter, to exercise the right to require the Company to purchase such underlying shares. As a result, access to the Japanese markets by holders of ADRs through the withdrawal mechanism will not be available for dispositions of shares in lots of less than one unit.

Rights of a holder of shares representing less than one unit to require the Company to purchase such shares

A holder of shares representing less than one unit may at any time require the Company to purchase such shares at their last reported sale price on the Osaka Securities Exchange on the day when such request is made or, if no sale takes place on the Osaka Securities Exchange on such day, the last reported sale price on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on such day, and if a sale takes place on neither of such exchanges on such day, the price at which the first sale of the shares is effected on the Osaka Securities Exchange thereafter, less applicable brokerage commission.

Other rights of a holder of shares representing less than one unit

A holder of shares representing less than one unit has the following rights in respect of such shares:
(i)the right to receive dividends (including interim dividends);
(ii)the right to receive shares and/or cash by way of a stock split or upon consolidation or subdivision of shares, a capital decrease, merger, share exchange or share transfer for the purpose of establishing 100% parent-subsidiary relationship;
(iii)the right to be allotted subscription rights with respect to new shares, convertible bonds and bonds with warrants to subscribe for shares when such rights are granted to shareholders;
(iv)the right to participate in the distribution of surplus assets in the event of the liquidation of the Company; and
(v)the right to require the Company to issue replacement share certificates for lost, stolen or destroyed share certificates.

All other rights, including voting rights, cannot be exercised with respect to shares representing less than one unit.


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Voting rights of a holder of shares representing less than one unit

A holder of shares representing less than one unit cannot exercise any voting rights with respect to such shares. In calculating the quorum for various voting purposes, the aggregate number of shares representing less than one unit will be excluded from the number of outstanding shares. A holder of shares representing one or more whole units will have one vote for each such share, except as stated in “Voting rights” above.

Consolidation by operation of law of shares constituting one unit into one share

The unit share system is intended to be an interim measure with a view ultimately to achieve shares of a much higher denomination than at present. On a date to be specified by separate legislation, the shares comprising one unit will be deemed to be consolidated into one share. Presently it is not known when the bill specifying such date will be submitted to the Japanese parliament. If the consolidation takes place, the holder of any fractional share constituting one-hundredth of one share or any integral multiple thereof, which may result from such consideration, will be registered as the holder thereof in the register of fractional shares and the holder of any fraction representing less than a whole hundredth of one share will be entitled to receive a cash payment. A registered holder of fractional shares may request that a company issue certificates therefor, unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, in which case such holder may request that the company purchase such fractional shares. Fractional shares will not carry voting rights and, unless such company’s articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the entitlement thereof will be limited and will not include the right to receive dividends.
(c)Reporting of Substantial Shareholdings

The Securities and Exchange Law of Japan, as amended, requires any person who has become, beneficially and solely or jointly, a holder of more than 5% of the total issued shares of a company listed on any Japanese stock exchange or whose shares are traded on the over-the-counter market in Japan to file with the Financial Reconstruction Commission
The Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and regulations thereunder requires any person who has become, beneficially and solely or jointly, a holder of more than five percent of the total issued shares of capital stock of a company listed on any Japanese stock exchange or whose shares are traded on the over-the-counter market in Japan to file with the Director-General of a competent Local Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance within five business days a report concerning such shareholdings.

A similar report must also be made in respect of any subsequent change of 1%


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A similar report must also be filed in respect of any subsequent change of one percent or more in any such holding or any change in material matters set out in reports previously filed, with certain exceptions. For this purpose, shares issuable to such person upon conversion of convertible securities or exercise of share subscription warrants or stock acquisition rights are taken into account in determining both the number of shares held by such holder and the issuer’s total issued share capital. Copies of each such report must also be furnished to the issuer of such shares and all Japanese stock exchanges on which the shares are listed or (in the case of shares traded over-the-counter) the Japan Securities Dealers Association.


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Item 7. Taxation

For purposes

Except for the general limitation under Japanese anti-trust and anti-monopoly regulations against holding of shares of capital stock of a Japanese corporation which leads or may lead to a restraint of trade or monopoly, and except for general limitations under the Commercial Code or the Company’s Articles of Incorporation on the rights of shareholders applicable regardless of residence or nationality, there is no limitation under Japanese laws and regulations applicable to the Company or under its Articles of Incorporation on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold the shares of Common Stock of the Income Tax ConventionCompany or exercise voting rights thereon.
There is no provision in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and that would operate only with respect to merger, consolidation, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving the Company.

C.Material Contracts
��All contracts concluded by the Company during the two years preceding the date of this report were entered into in the ordinary course of business.

D.Exchange Controls
The Japanese Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law, currently in effect (the “Law”), does not affect or restrict the rights of a non-resident or foreign corporation to acquire or hold shares of capital stock of the Company except that in the event of acquisition of shares of Common Stock, unless such acquisition is made through a securities company or other financial institution, the non-resident or foreign corporation, which so acquires the Common Stock, is subject to a post-transaction reporting requirement under the Law. However, the Minister of Finance has the power to impose a licensing requirement in certain acquisitions in extremely limited circumstances. Under the Law, dividends paid on, and the proceeds of sales in Japan of, shares of Common Stock of the Company held by non-residents may in general be converted into any foreign currency and repatriated abroad.


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E.Taxation
The following is a general summary of the principal U.S. federal income and Japanese tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of Common Stock or ADSs by an investor that holds those shares or ADSs, as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). This summary does not purport to address all material tax consequences that may be relevant to holders of shares of Common Stock or ADSs, and does not take into account the specific circumstances of any particular investors, some of which (such as tax-exempt entities, banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers, investors liable for alternative minimum tax, investors that own or are treated as owning 10% or more of our voting stock, investors that hold shares of Common Stock or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction and investors whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar) may be subject to special tax rules. This summary is based on the tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date hereof, as well as on the current income tax convention between the U.S.United States and Japan (the “Convention”“Treaty”), all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect), and to differing interpretations. In addition, this summary is based in part upon the representations of the Depositary and the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. holders of ADRsassumption that each obligation in the Deposit Agreement for ADSs and in any related agreement, will be treated as the owners of the Common Stock underlying the American Depositary Shares evidenced by the ADRs. performed in accordance with its terms.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder”Holder” is any beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock or ADSs that is:

an individual citizen or resident of the United States,
a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any State,
an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax without regard to its source, or
a trust that is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons, or that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

An “Eligible U.S. Holder” is a holder that (i) U.S. Holder that:

is a resident of the United States for purposes of the Convention, (ii) a citizen of the United States, (iii) Treaty,
does not maintain a permanent establishment or fixed base in Japan to which ADRsshares of Common Stock or Common StockADSs are attributable and through which the beneficial ownerU.S. Holder carries on or has carried on business (or, in the case of an individual, performs or has performed independent personal services), and (iv)
is not otherwise ineligible for benefits under the ConventionTreaty with respect to income and gain derived in connection with the ADRs or Common Stock.

Japanese taxationshares of Common Stock or ADRsADSs.


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This summary does not address any aspects of U.S. federal tax law other than income taxation, and does not discuss any aspects of Japanese tax law other than income taxation, inheritance and gift taxation and securities transfer taxation. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state and local and Japanese and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares of Common Stock or ADSs. In particular, where relevant, investors are urged to confirm their status as Eligible U.S. Holders with their tax advisors and to discuss with their tax advisors any possible consequences of their failure to qualify as Eligible U.S. Holders. In general, taking into account the earlier assumptions, for purposes of the Treaty and for U.S. federal income and Japanese tax purposes, owners of ADRs evidencing ADSs will be treated as the owners of the shares of Common Stock represented by those ADSs, and exchanges of shares of Common Stock for ADSs, and exchanges of ADSs for shares of Common Stock, will not be subject to U.S. federal income or Japanese tax.
Japanese taxation
The following is a summary of certain Japanese income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of Common Stock or ADRs by a portfolio investor who is a non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation having no permanent establishment in Japan.
Generally, a non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation is subject to Japanese withholding tax on dividends paid by a Japanese corporation. Stock splits (whether for the purpose of making a free distribution or dividend in shares), subject as set out below,themselves are not subject to Japanese income tax. However, a transfer of retained earnings or legal reserve (but not capital surplus) to stated capital is treated as a dividend payment to shareholders for Japanese tax purposes and is, in general, subject to Japanese income tax.

In the absence of an applicable tax treaty, convention or agreement reducing the maximum rate of withholding tax, the rate of Japanese withholding tax onapplicable to dividends paid by Japanese corporations to non-residents of Japan or non-Japanese corporations is 20%.

20 percent. At the date of this document, Japan has income tax treaties, conventions or agreements whereby the withholding tax rate is reduced, in most cases, to 15 percent for portfolio investors with, among other countries, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Under the Convention,Treaty, as currently in force, the maximum rate of Japanese withholding tax thatwhich may be imposed on dividends paid by a Japanese corporation to aEligible U.S. resident or corporation not having a “permanent establishment” (as defined therein) in JapanHolders generally is generally 15%.

A non-resident holder who is entitledlimited to a reduced rate15 percent of Japanese withholding tax on payment of dividends by the Companygross amount actually distributed. An Eligible U.S. Holder is required to submit an Application Form for Income Tax Convention regardingRegarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax on Dividends in advance through the Company to the relevant tax authority before such payment of dividends. A standing proxy in Japan for a non-resident holder of Common Stock may provide this application service. With respect to AmericanADRs, the Depositary Shares,or its agent will apply for this reduced rate is applicable if the depositary or its agent submitson behalf of Eligible U.S. Holders by submitting two Application Forms for Income Tax Convention (one before payment of dividends, the other within eight months after the Company’s fiscal year-end). to the Japanese tax authorities. To claim this reduced rate, a non-resident holderan Eligible U.S. Holder of American Depositary SharesADRs will be required to file a proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable) and to provide other information or documents as may be required by the depositary. A non-resident holderDepositary. An Eligible U.S. Holder who does not submit an application in advance will be entitled to claim the refund of withholding taxes withheld in excess of the rate of an applicable tax treatyunder the Treaty from the relevant Japanese tax authority.


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Gains derived by a non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation from the sale of shares of Common Stock or ADRs outside Japan or from the sale of shares of Common Stock within Japan by a non-resident of Japan or by a non-Japanese corporation not having ano permanent establishment in Japan, are in general not subject to Japanese income or corporation tax.
Japanese inheritance or gift tax at progressive rates may be payable by ana non-resident individual who has acquired shares of Common Stock or ADRs as a legatee, heir or donee even though neither the individual nor the deceased nor donor is a Japanese resident.
Holders of shares of Matsushita’s Common Stock or ADRsADSs should consult their tax advisorsadvisers regarding the effect of these taxes and, in the case of taxes.
U.S. holders, the possible application of the Estate and Gift Tax Treaty between the United States and Japan.

If the Company purchases shares of its Common Stock by way of a tender offer for the purpose of retirement with retained earnings as described under “Item 6. Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders (b) Description of Common Stock — Repurchase by the Company of its Common Stock” and so retires such shares, the selling shareholders (both individuals and corporations) are in general deemed to have received a dividend in an amount equal to the selling price less the aggregate of the stated capital and the capital surplus attributable to the shares so sold, provided however that if such retirement is made on or before March 31, 2002, no such dividend is deemed to have been received by any selling shareholders who are individuals but gains realized by such sales are in general subject to Japanesefederal income tax. In addition, when shares acquired by the Company (whether by way of a tender offer or otherwise) for the purpose of retirement with retained earnings are retired by the Company, the shareholders (both individuals and corporations) whose shares were not retired are deemed to have received a dividend in an amount equal to the amount of the stated capital attributable to the retired shares (if such amount exceeds the amount of retained earnings used for the retirement, the amount of such retained earnings) and calculated in proportion to each shareholder’s remaining shares, except that if such retirement is made on or before March 31, 2002, no income tax is payable with respect to such portion deemed as a dividend. However, corporate shareholders have an option for such amount to be treated as dividend received for the purpose of corporation tax.

United States taxation of Common Stock or ADRs

The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership of shares of Common Stock or ADRsADSs by a U.S. holder.Holder. This summary is based on United States tax laws, including the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and on the ConventionTreaty all of which are subject to change possibly with retroactive effect.

Taxation of dividends

Subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”)(PFIC) rules discussed below, U.S. holdersHolders will include in gross income the gross amount of any dividends received (before reduction for Japanese withholding taxes) to the extent paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) as ordinary income. The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to United States corporations in respect of dividends received from other United States corporations. The amount of the dividend will be the U.S. dollar value of the Japanese yen payments made, determined at the spot Japanese yen /U.S.yen/U.S. dollar rate on the date the dividend is includible in the U.S. holder’sHolder’s income.

Subject to certain limitations, the Japanese tax withheld in accordance with the ConventionTreaty will be creditable against the U.S. holder’sHolder’s United States federal income tax liability. For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, the dividend will be income from sources without the United States, but generally will be treated separately, together with other items of “passive income” or “financial services income.”


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Taxation of capital gains

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, upon a sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock or ADRs,ADSs, a U.S. holderHolder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized and the U.S. holder’sHolder’s tax basis (determined in U.S. dollars) in such shares of Common Stock or ADRs.ADSs. Generally, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’sHolder’s holding period for such shares of Common Stock or ADRsADSs exceeds one1 year. Any such gain or loss will be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.


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Transfers of retained earnings and sales of shares of Common Stock to the Company
A transfer of retained earnings or legal reserve to stated capital is generally treated as a dividend payment for Japanese tax purposes subject to withholding tax. A sale of shares of Common Stock or ADSs to the Company results in a deemed dividend to the selling shareholders to the extent that the sales price exceeds the aggregate of the stated capital and the capital surplus attributable to the shares sold. Transfers of retained earnings or legal reserves to stated capital and deemed dividends that may result from sales of shares of Common Stock to the Company are not generally taxable events for United States federal income tax purposes and therefore would not give rise to foreign source income and U.S. Holders would not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Japanese withholding tax imposed on such transactions unless they can apply the credit (subject to limitations) against U.S. tax due or other foreign source income in the appropriate category for foreign tax credit purposes.
Passive foreign investment company considerations

The Company believes that shares of Common Stock and ADRsADSs should not be treated as stock of a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes, but this conclusion is a factual determination made annually and thus may be subject to change. If the Company were to be treated as a PFIC (unless a U.S. holderHolder elects to be taxed annually on a mark-to-market basis with respect to the shares of Common Stock or ADRs)ADSs), gain realized on the sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock or ADRsADSs would in general not be treated as capital gain, and a U.S. holderHolder would be treated as if such holder had realized such gain and certain “excess distributions” ratably over the holder’s holding period for the shares of Common Stock or ADRsADSs and would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year to which the gain was allocated, together with an interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year.


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Item 8. Selected Financial Data

                     
Yen (billions), except per share amounts and yen exchange rates

Fiscal year ended March 31,

20001999199819971996





Income Statement Data:
Net sales7,2997,6407,8917,6766,795
Income before income taxes21920235633277
Net income (loss)1001494138(57)
Per common share:
  Net income (loss):
    Basic48.356.4844.3265.39(27.12)
    Diluted46.366.4841.5360.64(27.12)
  Dividends14.0012.5013.0012.5012.50
($0.125)($0.097)($0.107)($0.112)($0.136)
Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets7,6877,9388,5648,6968,012
Long-term debt6447096909231,019
Minority interests589609618611560
Stockholders’ equity3,4673,5333,7703,6963,398
Yen exchange rates per
U.S. dollar:
  Year-end102.73118.43133.29123.72107.00
  Average111.35128.19122.78113.1997.09
  High101.53108.83111.42104.4981.12
  Low124.45147.14133.99124.54107.29
F.Dividends and Paying Agents
  
Notes:1.Dividends per share reflect those paid during each fiscal year. The dollar amounts of the dividends per share have been computed at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective payment dates.
2.In June 1995, the Company sold an 80% equity interest in MCA INC. (MCA). Accordingly, beginning in fiscal 1996, MCA, now named Universal Studios, Inc., is no longer treated as a consolidated subsidiary. The Company registered a one-time, non-operating loss on the sale of its investment in MCA of approximately 164 billion yen in fiscal 1996, primarily stemming from the realization of foreign currency translation adjustments, which led to a substantial decrease in income before income taxes and a net loss.
3.Fiscal 1999 and 1998 net income represent amounts after subtracting the impact of approximately 53 billion yen and 33 billion yen, respectively, attributable to adjustments of net deferred tax assets to reflect reductions in Japan’s corporate income tax rate.


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Item 9. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(a)Results of Operations

During the three-year period ended March 31, 2000 (“fiscal 1998,” “fiscal 1999,” and “fiscal 2000”), the Japanese economy moved from a slowdown in fiscal 1998 to the beginning signs of recovery in fiscal 2000. In fiscal 1998, the Japanese economy experienced a setback, triggered by an increase in the consumption tax rate and the failure of several financial institutions, which collectively led to a decline in private business sector demand and diminished consumer confidence. In fiscal 1999, the sluggishness of the domestic economy deepened further, as seen in lower corporate capital investment and consumer spending. In fiscal 2000, although Japan continued to be hampered by the absence of a full recovery, reflected in continued lower consumer and corporate spending, the Japanese economy, benefiting from the government’s economic stimulus packages and a surge in demand for information technologies, began to show moderate signs of recovery.

Outside Japan, economic conditions in North America and Western Europe were generally favorable throughout this three-year period. Asian economies, however, experienced a downturn in fiscal 1998 following an outbreak of currency-related turmoil in Southeast Asia in the summer of 1997. In fiscal 1999, that turmoil spread to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Latin America. This, together with the lingering recession in Asia, increased uncertainty in the global economy in fiscal 1999. In fiscal 2000, the North American economy continued to prosper, while the economies of Europe and the majority of Asia strengthened over the previous fiscal year. In contrast, economic conditions in Central and South America and the CIS continued to remain depressed.

Reflecting the aforementioned factors, Japan’s Gross Domestic Product in real terms showed a moderate rebound in the last fiscal year, recording a 0.1% decrease in fiscal 1998, a 1.9% decrease in fiscal 1999 and a 0.5% increase in fiscal 2000.

Inflation rates in Japan for the three-year period were low in terms of the consumer price index with the wholesale price index showing a deflationary trend in fiscal 1999 and 2000. This trend, combined with intensified worldwide price competition, caused price declines in electronic products. This had a negative impact on the Company’s earnings, as mentioned later. A large portion of the Company’s overseas business is conducted in low inflation areas, and operations in highly inflationary environments were not material.

Because of the size of Matsushita’s international business operations, the Company is exposed to both translation and transaction risk stemming from currency exchange rate fluctuations. Translation risk is a risk with regard to consolidation of foreign currency denominated financial statements of overseas subsidiaries. Depending on the fluctuation of the exchange rate, the value of overseas subsidiaries can differ from period to period when translated into yen. This is a reporting consideration and does not affect business operations. Transaction risk is a risk that occurs in export, import and other transactions when two or more different currencies are involved. This is a risk that the currency structure of the Company’s sales and assets deviates from the currency structure of expenses and liabilities during the transaction period.


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The Company’s business was favorably affected by the yen’s depreciation during the first two years of the three-year period. However, in fiscal 2000 yen appreciation negatively affected the Company’s overseas operations, specifically when translated into yen for consolidation. In order to alleviate the effects of currency-related transaction risk, Matsushita has traditionally used several currency risk hedging methods, such as forward foreign-exchange contracts and currency options contracts with leading banks. Matsushita has also recently implemented matching of exports and imports exchange contracts. As a basic countermeasure against currency exchange risk, the Company has been strengthening production operations outside Japan to meet overseas demand, while reducing dependence on exports. The Company does not have any material unhedged monetary assets, liabilities, or commitments denominated in currencies other than the operation’s functional currency.

During this period, Matsushita focused its management efforts on mid-term growth. In fiscal 1998 following the previous three-year business plan, the Company implemented the four-year Progress 2000 Plan, ending March 2001. Matsushita is currently entering the fourth and final year of the Progress 2000 Plan. The purpose of this plan is to create and develop a strong managerial and operational structure enabling Matsushita to continue to meet consumer needs and contribute to society in the rapidly changing digital networking age. As part of this plan, Matsushita has focused its efforts on strategic business restructuring by prioritizing business areas and concentrating resources through emphasis on its five key business areas: digital television systems, semiconductors, mobile communications equipment, optical discs and display devices. As a result, businesses in most of these key areas moved ahead favorably. Building on and combining strengths in the five priority areas, from fiscal 2001 the Company is emphasizing the development of networkable consumer products that can be linked inside the home and with external public networks.

Matsushita’s consolidated sales and earnings results during the last three fiscal years, reflecting all the aforementioned external and internal conditions, can be summarized as follows:

In fiscal 1998, net sales increased 2.8% to 7,891 billion yen, helped mainly by growth in overseas sales, notably in North America and Europe. Net income decreased 32.1% to 94 billion yen, due mainly to slowed demand in Japan and Asia and intensified price competition. The Company also incurred a 33 billion yen negative impact from adjustments of net deferred tax assets to reflect a reduction in Japan’s corporate income tax rate. Without the effects of these adjustments, net income for fiscal 1998 would have decreased 8.0%.

In fiscal 1999, net sales decreased 3.2% to 7,640 billion yen, mainly reflecting the sluggish Japanese economy and worsened overseas economic conditions, especially in Southeast Asia and the CIS. Net income dropped 85.5% to 14 billion yen, primarily because of decreased sales and price declines due to intensified worldwide competition. The net income reduction was further exacerbated by the negative effect of 53 billion yen adjustments of net deferred tax assets reflecting a further reduction in Japan’s corporate income tax rate. Without the effects of these adjustments, net income for fiscal 1999 would have decreased 47.7%.


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In fiscal 2000, net sales decreased 4.5% to 7,299 billion yen, mainly attributable to sluggish demand in Japan due to continued weak spending, intense global price competition and yen appreciation. Net income totaled 100 billion yen increasing 636.3% over the previous year. Increased profitability in Components and improved overall efficiency could not fully offset the negative effects of price declines and yen appreciation on earnings. However, the significant net income increase was realized largely due to a one-time non-operating gain of 59 billion yen from the sale of shares of EPCOS AG, a German electronic component manufacturing joint venture, held by a subsidiary. The net income increase was also magnified by previous year adjustments in net deferred tax assets totaling 53 billion yen, to reflect reductions in Japan’s corporate income tax rate.

The Company is considering the possibility of restructuring labor terms and conditions to better match employee remuneration with each particular business area or region in Japan, and is currently reviewing the possibility of incurring an expense during fiscal 2001 associated with compensation to employees affected by the restructuring activities. It is uncertain at this time how and to what extent labor terms and conditions will change or whether the compensation provided will have a material effect on the Company’s financial results.

Year ended March 31, 2000 compared with 1999

(1)Sales

Consolidated net sales for the fiscal year decreased 4.5% to 7,299 billion yen, from 7,640 billion yen in the previous year. The decrease was mainly attributable to sluggish demand in Japan, intense global price competition, and yen appreciation, which negatively affected overseas sales when translated into yen.

Domestic sales were 3,698 billion yen, down 1.4% from the previous year. Although domestic sales of consumer products continued to be impacted by sluggish consumer spending in Japan, sales of industrial products and components increased year on year. Overseas sales on a local currency basis increased 3.4% as local-currency based sales grew in all major markets. However, due to the appreciation of the yen, sales when translated into yen dropped 7.4% to 3,601 billion yen.

Sales by major product category were as follows:

Sales of consumer products totaled 3,012 billion yen, down 8.4% from the previous year. Within the consumer products category, sales of video and audio equipment fell 9.9%, to 1,706 billion yen. The drop in domestic sales was mainly due to setbacks in sales of VCRs and TVs; however, MD and DVD players continued to robustly grow. Overseas, sales of video and audio equipment declined over the previous year, due mainly to the strong yen negatively affecting sales when translated into yen. Meanwhile, sales of home appliances and household equipment decreased 6.3%, to 1,306 billion yen. Domestic sales in this category were down, despite increases in vacuum cleaners and small cooking appliances. Overseas sales in all regions were generally slow.


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Sales of industrial products slipped 3.8%, to 2,757 billion yen. In this category, sales of information and communications equipment declined 6.0%, to 2,022 billion yen. This decrease was mainly attributable to global price declines in computer peripherals such as CRT displays and hard disk drives, along with the negative effect of yen appreciation. However, sales of mobile communications equipment, such as cellular phones, and personal computers increased over the previous year. Furthermore, sales of industrial equipment increased 2.6%, to 735 billion yen. FA equipment, such as electronic-parts-mounting machines rebounded from last year’s drop, owing mainly to signs of recovery in capital investment in Japan and Southeast Asia. Gains in this category were also driven by solid growth in sales of car AV equipment.

Sales of components advanced to 1,530 billion yen, up 3.1% from the previous year. The sales increase in this category was driven by favorable growth in semiconductors, high frequency components, LCD devices and electric motors, for use in information and communications equipment.

(2)Other Revenues (Revenue excluding Net Sales)

Other revenues includes interest income, dividends received and other income. Interest income decreased 21.1% to 43 billion yen and dividends received increased 48.7% to 15 billion yen. Other income increased 157.9% to 136 billion yen, mainly attributable to a gain of 59 billion yen from the sale of shares of EPCOS AG.

(3)Costs and Expenses

Companywide efforts to reduce manufacturing costs and raise overall efficiency resulted in decreases in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, which, however, did not fully offset the negative effects of price declines and yen appreciation. Cost of sales totaled 5,191 billion yen, down 2.9%, while selling general and administrative expenses decreased 7.1% to 1,950 billion yen. Interest expense also decreased 25.5% to 46 billion yen as the Company reduced borrowings. However, other deductions increased 89.4% to 88 billion yen, due mainly to an impairment loss of 20 billion yen related to the write-down of machinery and equipment to manufacture CRTs and other components. As a result overall costs and expenses decreased 3.7% to 7,274 billion yen.

(4)Income before Income Taxes

As a result of the above factors, income before income taxes increased 8.1% to 219 billion yen, compared with 202 billion yen in fiscal 1999.

(5)Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes amounted to 137 billion yen, versus 175 billion yen a year ago. Its ratio to income before income taxes declined to 62.7% from 86.7% a year ago, mainly attributable to previous year adjustments in net deferred tax assets and a decline in the normal tax rate in fiscal 2000.

(6)Minority Interests

Minority interests decreased to negative 1 billion yen, compared to 8 billion yen in fiscal 1999, mainly reflecting depressed earnings results in several subsidiaries.


- 37 -

(7)Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Associated Companies

Equity in earnings (losses) of associated companies rebounded to 17 billion yen from a loss of 6 billion yen in the prior year, due to earnings improvements in associated companies.

(8)Net Income

Due to the factors stated in the preceding paragraphs, net income for fiscal 2000 grew 636.3% to 100 billion yen, compared with 14 billion yen in the prior year. Net income as a percentage of sales was 1.4%, compared with 0.2% in the previous year.

Year ended March 31, 1999 compared with 1998

(1)Sales

Consolidated net sales in fiscal 1999 decreased 3.2% to 7,640 billion yen, from 7,891 billion yen in the previous year. This decrease was attributed primarily to lower demand in Japan and worsened overseas market conditions, especially in Southeast Asia and the CIS.

Domestic sales declined 3.6% to 3,752 billion yen, reflecting sluggish demand in product areas such as industrial products and components due to slow corporate capital investments and price declines. Domestic sales declined despite successful sales increases in the video and audio equipment field and contributions from certain new home appliance products. Despite solid sales growth in North America and Europe, led by video and audio equipment, overseas sales fell 2.8% to 3,888 billion yen, due mainly to depressed demand in Southeast Asia, the CIS, and Latin America.

Sales by major product categories were as follows:

Sales of consumer products decreased 2.1% to 3,289 billion yen. In this category, sales of video and audio equipment edged up 0.5% to 1,895 billion yen. Domestic sales of consumer products showed favorable growth, led by digital AV products such as digital camcorders and DVD players. Overseas, sales in North America and Western Europe marked strong gains, with TVs and VCRs leading the way. However, this growth was offset by a decline in sales in Southeast Asia and the CIS. Meanwhile, sales of home appliances and household equipment fell 5.4% to 1,394 billion yen. This decline was mainly due to sluggish demand in the primary market, Japan, and decreased sales in overseas markets such as Southeast Asia. This decline occurred despite favorable market acceptance of industry-first products such as the centrifugal force washing machine.

Sales of industrial products totaled 2,867 billion yen, down 3.3% from the previous year. Of this, sales of information and communications equipment decreased 5.1% to 2,150 billion yen, principally because of worldwide price declines in computer peripherals, notably PC displays and hard disk drives. Helped by overseas growth, sales of mobile communications equipment, broadcast- and business-use video systems, and printers expanded. Industrial equipment sales rose 2.3% to 717 billion yen, as robust sales of car AV equipment in and outside Japan more than offset a fall in sales of FA equipment.


- 38 -

Sales of components decreased 5.2% to 1,484 billion yen, reflecting sluggish sales of semiconductors and general electronic components due to slow demand in Japan and other Asian markets, as well as global price declines. However sales of compact batteries and electric motors, chiefly for the information and communications industry, were favorable especially in overseas markets.

(2)Other Revenues

In other revenues, other income declined 66.8% to 53 billion yen mainly due to a reduction in realized gains on available for sale securities. Interest income amounted to 54 billion yen, a 6.5% decrease, and dividends received remained relatively unchanged at 10 billion yen.

(3)Costs and Expenses

Cost of sales decreased 2.7% over fiscal 1998 to 5,347 billion yen, however selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2.0% to 2,100 billion yen, mainly due to an increase in fixed costs, including R&D expenditures and depreciation. Interest expense increased 0.8% to 62 billion yen compared with fiscal 1998. Other deductions decreased to 46 billion yen, down 68.6% compared with fiscal 1998, in which impairment losses of 57 billion yen with regard to semiconductor, mainly DRAM, manufacturing machinery and equipment and 31 billion yen related to a decline in the value of land held were incurred. Consequently, costs and expenses decreased 2.7% over the previous year to 7,555 billion yen.

(4)Income before Income Taxes

All the above factors resulted in income before income taxes decreasing 43.1% to 202 billion yen, compared with 356 billion yen a year ago.

(5)Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes amounted to 175 billion yen compared to 235 billion yen in the previous year. Its ratio to income before income taxes climbed to 86.7% from 66.0% a year ago, primarily owing to adjustments of net deferred tax assets at the end of fiscal 1999. This reflects a reduction for the second consecutive year in Japan’s corporate income tax rate. (See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

(6)Minority Interests

Minority interests decreased to 8 billion yen, from 26 billion yen in fiscal 1998, reflecting the earnings decrease of subsidiaries in adverse economic conditions.

(7)Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Associated Companies

Equity in earnings (losses) of associated companies was a loss of 6 billion yen, compared with a loss of 1 billion yen in the prior year. This aggravation was caused by increased losses of certain associated companies, including a U.S. joint venture for computer peripherals components.


- 39 -

(8)Net Income

As a result of all the factors stated in the preceding paragraphs, net income for fiscal 1999 decreased 85.5% to 14 billion yen, compared with 94 billion yen in fiscal 1998. Its ratio to sales declined to 0.2%, compared with 1.2% in the prior year.

(b)Financial Position and Liquidity

The Company’s consolidated total assets at the end of fiscal 2000 decreased to 7,687 billion yen, compared with 7,938 billion yen a year ago. This decrease was largely attributable to reductions in inventories, owing to shortened lead times, and reduced cash and cash equivalents. Stockholders’ equity at the end of fiscal 2000 also decreased to 3,467 billion yen, from 3,533 billion yen in the previous year, caused mainly by the negative effect of the yen’s year-end exchange rate on accumulated other comprehensive loss (translation adjustments), in spite of an increase in retained earnings.

The Company’s capital investment during fiscal 2000 totaled 338 billion yen, a slight fall from the previous year’s figure of 352 billion yen. This decline was primarily due to selective investment in Consumer and Industrial products, despite expanded investment in Components, such as semiconductors and LCD devices. Depreciation during the year also decreased to 343 billion yen, compared with 359 billion yen in fiscal 1999.

Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2000 amounted to 476 billion yen, compared with 499 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. This decrease was primarily attributable to increases in net gain on sale of investments and deferred income taxes, a non-cash item, which were greater than the increase in net income. Net cash used in investing activities amounted to 604 billion yen, compared with 378 billion yen in fiscal 1999, primarily owing to an increase in time deposits. Net cash used in financing activities fell to 216 billion yen, from 434 billion yen a year ago, reflecting a decline in cash outflows, mainly owing to reductions in repayments of long-term debt and the amount of the Company’s common stock repurchased.

All these activities, compounded by the effect of exchange rate changes, resulted in a net decrease of 418 billion yen in cash and cash equivalents during fiscal 2000. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of fiscal 2000 totaled 1,116 billion yen, compared with 1,534 billion yen a year ago.

(c)Market Risk Management (Item 9A)

The Company is exposed to market risk, including changes of foreign exchange rates, interest rates and prices of marketable securities. In order to hedge the risks of changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates, the Company uses derivative financial instruments. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Although the use of derivative financial instruments exposes the Company to the risk of credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties, the Company believes that such risk is minor because of the high credit rating of the counterparties.


- 40 -

Equity Price Risk:

The Company holds available-for-sale securities included in short-term investments and investments and advances. In general, highly-liquid and low risk instruments are preferred in the portfolio. Available-for-sale securities included in investments and advances are held as longer term investments. The Company does not hold marketable securities for trading purposes.

Maturities and fair values of available-for-sale securities were as follows at March 31, 2000 and 1999:

                 
Yen (millions)

20001999


CarryingFairCarryingFair
amountvalueamountvalue




Due within one year132,238132,314122,666122,676
Due after one year through five years113,426112,51794,79394,554
Due after five years2,0002,00023
Equity securities377,069756,820386,024580,487




624,7331,003,651603,485797,720




Foreign Exchange Risk:

The primary purpose of the Company’s foreign currency hedging activities is to protect against the volatility associated with foreign currency transactions. The Company primarily utilizes forward exchange contracts and options with duration of less than a few months. The Company also enters into foreign exchange contracts from time to time to hedge the risk of fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates associated with long-term debt that is denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange contracts related to such long-term debt have the same maturity as the underlying debt.

The following table provides the contract amounts and fair values of foreign exchange contracts, primarily hedging U.S. dollar revenues, at March 31, 2000 and 1999. Amounts related to foreign exchange contracts entered into in connection with long-term debt denominated in foreign currencies which eliminate all foreign currency exposures, are shown in the table of “Interest Rate Risk.”

                  
Yen (millions)

20001999


ContractFairContractFair
amountvalueamountvalue




Forward:
    To sell foreign currencies373,4173,439312,453(2,065)
    To buy foreign currencies82,44417162,371596
Options purchased to sell foreign currencies26,7111193,670(15)
Options purchased to buy foreign currencies1,26011
Options written to buy foreign currencies24,820(74)3,87336
Options written to sell foreign currencies4,734(89)


- 41 -

Interest Rate Risk:
The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates principally to its debt obligations. The Company has long-term debt primarily with fixed rates. Interest rate swaps may be entered into from time to time by the Company to hedge cash flows of interests and fair values of debt. However, interest rate swaps utilized by the Company at March 31, 2000 and 1999 were not material.
The following tables provide information about the Company’s financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates at March 31, 2000 and 1999. The table presents principal cash flows by expected maturity dates, related weighted average interest rates and fair values of financial instruments.

                  ��                    
Yen (millions)

Carrying amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 2000)
Average
interestThere-Fair
rateTotal20012002200320042005aftervalue









Long-term debt,
  including current
  portion:
Japanese yen
    convertible bonds1.5%263,87421,00098,89316,99998,49911,48317,000446,953
Straight bonds
    issued by a     subsidiary
1.9%20,0005,0005,00010,00020,250
U.S. dollar
    unsecured bonds
5.8%105,950105,950106,086
Unsecured yen
    loans from banks
    and insurance
    companies and
    others
1.7%402,978147,079128,18675,02740,22811,759699402,328

    Subtotal792,802168,079232,079197,976143,72723,24227,699975,617
Foreign exchange
  contracts
19,11719,11719,106

    Total811,919168,079232,079217,093143,72723,24227,699994,723


- 42 -

                                       
Yen (millions)

Carrying amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 1999)
Average
interestThere-Fair
rateTotal20002001200220032004aftervalue









Long-term debt,
  including current
  portion:
Japanese yen
    convertible bonds
1.5%264,40321,00099,01016,99998,91128,483361,963
Straight bonds
    issued by a
    subsidiary
1.9%20,0005,0005,00010,00019,795
U.S. dollar
    unsecured bonds
5.8%120,265120,265124,926
Unsecured yen
    loans from banks
    and insurance
    companies and
    others
1.9%434,211134,512127,54897,41353,31617,3594,063430,952

    Subtotal838,879134,512148,548201,423190,580121,27042,546937,636
Foreign exchange
  contracts
4,7174,7174,888

    Total843,596134,512148,548201,423195,297121,27042,546942,524

(d)New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 1998, FASB issued SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, applicable for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2001. This Statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and the type of hedge transaction. The ineffective portion of all hedges will be recognized in earnings. The Company has not yet determined the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will have on the results of operations or financial position.

(e)Information by Segment

In accordance with the ministerial disclosure requirements under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan, the Company has reported sales, operating profit, identifiable assets, depreciation and capital investment by business segment and also has reported sales, operating profit and identifiable assets by geographical location of companies. Business segments correspond to categories of activity classified primarily by markets and products. “Consumer products” includes video and audio equipment, as well as home appliances and household equipment. “Industrial products” includes information and communications equipment and industrial equipment. “Components” includes electronic components, semiconductors, motors and batteries.


- 43 -

      Information by segment for fiscal 2000 and 1999 is shown in the tables below:

      By Business Segment:

             
Yen (billions)

20001999


Sales:
Consumer products:
Customers 3,012 3,289
Intersegment77


Total3,0193,296
Industrial products:
Customers2,7572,867
Intersegment98


Total2,7662,875
Components:
Customers1,5301,484
Intersegment828761


Total2,3582,245
Eliminations(844)(776)


Consolidated total7,2997,640


Operating profit:
Consumer products3491
Industrial products130154
Components6618
Corporate and eliminations(71)(69)


Consolidated total159194


Identifiable assets:
Consumer products2,2212,346
Industrial products1,9422,034
Components1,6811,681
Corporate and eliminations1,8431,877


Consolidated total7,6877,938


Depreciation (including intangibles other than goodwill)*:
Consumer products7682
Industrial products8690
Components177185
Corporate and eliminations109


Consolidated total349366


Capital investment (including intangibles other than goodwill)*:
Consumer products7284
Industrial products9297
Components179168
Corporate and eliminations128


Consolidated total355357


*Intangibles mainly represent patents, software and rights to public facilities.


- 44 -

      By Geographical Location of Companies:

             
Yen (billions)

20001999


Sales:
Japan:
Customers4,7064,920
Intersegment1,0581,046


Total5,7645,966
North and South America:
Customers1,0841,125
Intersegment3135


Total1,1151,160
Europe:
Customers670736
Intersegment2631


Total696767
Asia and Others:
Customers839859
Intersegment462474


Total1,3011,333
Eliminations(1,577)(1,586)


Consolidated total7,2997,640


Operating profit:
Japan166194
North and South America157
Europe(2)11
Asia and Others4451
Corporate and eliminations(64)(69)


Consolidated total159194


Identifiable assets:
Japan4,6334,703
North and South America479488
Europe292356
Asia and Others639681
Corporate and eliminations1,6441,710


Consolidated total7,6877,938


Notes:1.Corporate expenses include certain corporate R&D expenditures and general corporate expenses.
2.Corporate assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, time deposits, marketable securities in short-term investments, investments and advances and other assets related to unallocated expenses.


- 45 -

Item 10. Directors and Officers of Registrant

(a)The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the number of Directors of the Company shall be three or more and that of Corporate Auditors shall be three or more. Directors and Corporate Auditors shall be elected by the general meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility for administration of the Company’s affairs. Directors may, by resolution of the Board of Directors, appoint a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President and Director, and one or more Executive Vice Presidents and Directors, Senior Managing Directors, and Managing Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Director, Executive Vice Presidents and Directors, Senior Managing Directors, and Managing Directors are Representative Directors and severally represent the Company. The term of office of Directors shall expire at the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders with respect to the last closing of accounts within two years from their assumption of office, and in the case of Corporate Auditors, within three years from their assumption of office. However, they may serve any number of consecutive terms.

The Corporate Auditors of the Company are not required to be and are not certified public accountants. However, at least one of the Corporate Auditors should be a person who has not been a director, general manager or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the five-year period prior to his election as a Corporate Auditor. Each Corporate Auditor has the statutory duty to examine the financial statements and business reports to be submitted by the Board of Directors at the general meeting of shareholders and also to supervise the administration by the Directors of the Company’s affairs. They are entitled to participate in meetings of the Board of Directors but are not entitled to vote.
The Corporate Auditors constitute the Board of Corporate Auditors. The Board of Corporate Auditors has a statutory duty to prepare and submit its audit report to the Board of Directors each year. A Corporate Auditor may note his opinion in the audit report if his opinion is different from the opinion expressed in the audit report. The Board of Corporate Auditors is empowered to establish audit principles, method of examination by Corporate Auditors of the Company’s affairs and financial position and other matters concerning the performance of the Corporate Auditors’ duties.
The Corporate Auditors may not at the same time be Directors, managers or employees of the Company.
Set forth below are the names of Directors and Corporate Auditors after the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 29, 2000, their positions and offices with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., and the periods during which they have served as Director or Corporate Auditor.

Director/Corporate
NamePositions with registrantAuditor since



Yoichi MorishitaChairman of the Board of Directors1987
Masayuki MatsushitaVice Chairman of the Board of Directors1986
Kunio NakamuraPresident and Director1993
Kazuhiko SugiyamaExecutive Vice President and Director1996
Atsushi MurayamaExecutive Vice President and Director1995
Kazuo TodaSenior Managing Director1994


- 46 -

Director/Corporate
NamePositions with registrantAuditor since



Osamu TanakaSenior Managing Director1995
Kazuhiro MoriManaging Director1999
Yukio ShohtokuManaging Director1994
Sukeichi MikiManaging Director1997
Takami SanoManaging Director1998
Susumu KoikeManaging Director1998
Fumio OhtsuboManaging Director1998
Josei ItoDirector1994
Toshio MorikawaDirector2000
Yoshitomi NagaokaDirector1996
Hiroaki EnomotoDirector1996
Yoshio HinoDirector1997
Toshio SugiuraDirector1997
Haruo UenoDirector1998
Toru IshidaDirector1999
Yoshiaki KushikiDirector1999
Tameshige HirataDirector1999
Tetsuya KawakamiDirector2000
Hideaki IwataniDirector2000
Yoshitaka HayashiDirector2000
Toshihiro SakamotoDirector2000
Masaharu MatsushitaHonorary Chairman of the Board of
   Directors and Executive Advisor
1947
Kazuo IchikawaSenior Corporate Auditor1998
Motoi MatsudaSenior Corporate Auditor2000
Toshiomi UragamiCorporate Auditor2000
Kiyosuke ImaiCorporate Auditor2000
Note:When a former director is elected as a corporate auditor, the year in which he became a corporate auditor is shown in the table above. This also applies when former corporate auditors are newly elected as directors.

(b)There are no family relationships between any Director or Corporate Auditor and any other Director or Corporate Auditor of the Company except as described below:

Masayuki Matsushita, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors is the son of Masaharu Matsushita, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Advisor.


- 47 -

Item 11. Remuneration of Directors and Officers

(a)The aggregate amount of remuneration, including bonuses, paid by the Company during fiscal 2000 to all Directors and Corporate Auditors as a group (40 persons) for services in all capacities was 1,297 million yen.
(b)In accordance with customary Japanese business practices, a retiring Director or Corporate Auditor receives a lump-sum retirement payment, which is subject to approval of the general meeting of shareholders. Retirement allowances provided for Directors and Corporate Auditors for fiscal 2000 amounted to 257 million yen.

Item 12. Options to Purchase Securities from Registrant or Subsidiaries

In May 1998, the Board of Directors decided to implement the Company’s first stock option plan for Board members and select senior executives, and to purchase the Company’s own shares for transfer to them under the plan, pursuant to Article 210-2 of the Japanese Commercial Code. Upon approval at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June 1998 and subsequent Board of Directors’ resolutions, stock options (rights to purchase common shares) were provided to the then 32 Directors on the Board and four select senior executives in amounts ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 common shares each, exercisable from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2004, at an exercise price of 2,291 yen, which was calculated by a formula approved by shareholders at the said annual shareholders meeting. To cover these options the Company in early July 1998 purchased on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) a total of 113,000 common shares with an aggregate purchase price of approximately 252 million yen.
At the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June 1999, the shareholders again approved a stock option plan for Board members and select senior executives. The then 32 Directors on the Board and four select senior executives were granted stock options at a price of 2,476 yen per common share, exercisable from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2005, in amounts ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 shares each. For this purpose, the Company in early August 1999 purchased on the TSE a total of 116,000 common shares with an aggregate purchase price of approximately 287 million yen.
In June 2000, another stock option plan for Board members and select senior executives was approved at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders. The current 28 Directors on the Board and five select senior executives were granted stock options ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 shares each, at a price of 2,815 yen per common share, exercisable from July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2006. For the stock option plan, the Company in early July 2000 purchased on the TSE a total of 109,000 common shares with an aggregate purchase price of approximately 306 million yen.

Item 13. Interest of Management in Certain Transactions

      None


- 48 -

PART II

Item 14. Description of Securities to be Registered

Not applicable

PART III
G.Statement by Experts
Not applicable

Item 15. Defaults upon Senior
H.Documents on Display
According to the Securities

      None

Item 16. Changes in Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Matsushita is subject to the requirements of informational disclosure. Matsushita files various reports and Changes in Security for Registered Securities

      None


- 49 -

PART IV

Item 17. Financial Statements

Index of Consolidated Financial Statements of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and Subsidiaries:

Page
number

Independent Auditors’ Report50
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2000 and 199951
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 199853
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended March 31, 2000,
   1999 and 1998
54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 199856
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements58
Schedule for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998:
Schedule VIIIValuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for
   the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
85

All other schedules are omitted as permitted byinformation, including this annual report on Form 20-F, to the rules and regulations of theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as the required information is presented inNew York Stock Exchange and the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto, orPacific Exchange. These reports may be inspected at the schedules are not applicable.following sites.

Financial statements of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
U.S. Securities and affiliates 20% to 50% owned are omitted because none of such subsidiaries and affiliates constitute a significant subsidiary.


- 50Exchange Commission:
    450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549


- 74 -

New York Stock Exchange:
   20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005
Pacific Exchange:
   301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California 94104

Form 20-F is also available at the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, Retrieval system (EDGAR) website which is maintained by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

      U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Home Page:
         http://www.sec.gov

I.Subsidiary Information
Not applicable

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk, including changes of foreign exchange rates, interest rates and prices of marketable securities. In order to hedge the risks of changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates, the Company uses derivative financial instruments. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Although the use of derivative financial instruments exposes the Company to the risk of credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties, the Company believes that such risk is minor because of the high credit rating of the counterparties.

Equity Price Risk

The Company holds available-for-sale securities included in short-term investments and investments and advances. In general, highly-liquid and low risk instruments are preferred in the portfolio. Available-for-sale securities included in investments and advances are held as longer term investments. The Company does not hold marketable securities for trading purposes.

Maturities, costs and fair values of available-for-sale securities were as follows at March 31, 2002 and 2001:

                 
  Yen (millions)
   
  2002 2001
   
  
  Cost Fair value Cost Fair value
   
  
  
  
Due within one year  11,846   11,849   11,401   11,421 
Due after one year through five years  105,613   103,476   173,167   172,050 
Equity securities  288,816   411,621   369,972   533,421 
   
   
   
   
 
   406,275   526,946   554,540   716,892 
   
   
   
   
 


- 75 -

Foreign Exchange Risk

The primary purpose of the Company’s foreign currency hedging activities is to protect against the volatility associated with foreign currency transactions. The Company primarily utilizes forward exchange contracts and options with a duration of less than a few months. The Company also enters into foreign exchange contracts from time to time to hedge the risk of fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates associated with long-term debt that is denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange contracts related to such long-term debt have the same maturity as the underlying debt.

The following table provides the contract amounts and fair values of foreign exchange contracts, primarily hedging U.S. dollar revenues, at March 31, 2002 and 2001. Amounts related to foreign exchange contracts entered into in connection with long-term debt denominated in foreign currencies which eliminate all foreign currency exposures, are shown in the table of “Interest Rate Risk.”

                  
   Yen (millions)
   
   2002 2001
   
 
   Contract amount Fair value Contract amount Fair value
   
 
 
 
Forward:                
 To sell foreign currencies  374,993   (3,746)  350,087   (4,997)
 To buy foreign currencies  173,546   2,470   109,523   2,283 
Options purchased to sell foreign currencies  37,940   (219)  16,430   (334)
Options purchased to buy foreign currencies        34,412   1,327 
Options written to buy foreign currencies        24,956   (1,483)
Options written to sell foreign currencies        40,080   246 

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates principally to its debt obligations. The Company has long-term debt primarily with fixed rates. Interest rate swaps may be entered into from time to time by the Company to hedge cash flows of interests and fair values of debt. However, interest rate swaps utilized by the Company at March 31, 2001 and 2000 were not material.


- 76 -

The following tables provide information about the Company’s financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates at March 31, 2002 and 2001. The table presents principal cash flows by expected maturity dates, related weighted average interest rates and fair values of financial instruments.

                                       
        Yen (millions)
        
        Carrying amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 2002)    
    Average 
    
    interest                         There-    
    rate Total 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 after Fair value
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current portion:                                    
 Japanese yen convertible bonds  1.2%  143,226   16,999   97,744   11,483   17,000           161,532 
 Straight bonds  1.0%  300,000           100,000       100,000   100,000   297,503 
 Straight bonds issued by a subsidiary  1.8%  45,000       5,000       10,000   20,000   10,000   45,954 
 U.S. dollar unsecured bonds  5.8%  133,340   133,340                       135,219 
 Unsecured yen loans from banks and insurance companies and others  0.8%  339,772   121,571   98,081   66,846   40,784   12,474   16   337,176 

  Subtotal      961,338   271,910   200,825   178,329   67,784   132,474   110,016   977,384 
Foreign exchange contracts      (8,103)  (8,103)                      (8,103)

  Total      953,235   263,807   200,825   178,329   67,784   132,474   110,016   969,281 

 
        Yen (millions)
        
        Carrying amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 2001)    
    Average 
    
    interest                         There- Fair
    rate Total 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 after value
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current portion:                                    
 Japanese yen convertible bonds  1.2%  241,934   98,708   16,999   97,744   11,483   17,000       332,641 
 Straight bonds issued by a subsidiary  1.8%  50,000   5,000       5,000       10,000   30,000   51,535 
 U.S. dollar unsecured bonds  5.8%  123,785       123,785                   126,874 
 Unsecured yen loans from banks and insurance companies and others  1.2%  393,392   165,229   96,986   72,568   41,241   16,246   1,122   392,648 

  Subtotal      809,111   268,937   237,770   175,312   52,724   43,246   31,122   903,698 
Foreign exchange contracts      1,367       1,367                   1,399 

  Total      810,478   268,937   239,137   175,312   52,724   43,246   31,122   905,097 

Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Not applicable


- 77 -

PART II

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

None

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 15. [ Reserved ]

Item 16. [ Reserved ]


- 78 -

PART III

Item 17.      Financial Statements

Index of Consolidated Financial Statements of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and Subsidiaries:

Page

Independent Auditors’ Report

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries have not applied Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115 in accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities but have provided the disclosures required by SFAS No. 115

79
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 20002002 and 1999, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2000. The effects on the consolidated financial statements of not adopting SFAS No. 115 are summarized in Note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements.

The segment information required to be disclosed in financial statements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America is not presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Foreign issuers are presently exempted from such disclosure requirement in Securities Exchange Act filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

In our opinion, except for the effects of the departure from SFAS No. 115 in accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities discussed in the third paragraph of this report, and except for the omission of the segment information discussed in the preceding paragraph, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

2001
80
 
KPMG

Osaka, Japan
May 10, 2000, except as to Note 10,
which is as of July 3, 2000


- 51 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2000 and 1999

            
Yen (millions)

Assets20001999



Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 7)1,116,2621,533,585
Time deposits (Note 7)340,000
Short-term investments (Notes 4 and 14)134,716124,327
Trade receivables (Note 7):
Related companies (Note 3)20,73122,364
Notes92,93998,513
Accounts1,226,0431,264,075
Allowance for doubtful receivables(42,098)(63,649)


Net trade receivables1,297,6151,321,303


Inventories (Notes 2 and 7)942,2051,018,663
Other current assets (Notes 4 and 9)418,562411,428


Total current assets4,249,3604,409,306


Noncurrent receivables (Note 5)268,288276,311
Investments and advances (Notes 4 and 14):
Associated companies (Note 3)325,859325,658
Other investments and advances939,863954,170


Total investments and advances1,265,7221,279,828


Property, plant and equipment (Note 6):
Land220,971223,040
Buildings1,212,6341,215,986
Machinery and equipment3,021,7253,053,600
Construction in progress89,51270,222


4,544,8424,562,848
Less accumulated depreciation3,144,1573,069,297


Net property, plant and equipment1,400,6851,493,551


Other assets (Notes 4 and 9)502,828479,252


7,686,8837,938,248


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 52 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2000 and 1999

             
Yen (millions)

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity20001999



Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt
   (Notes 7 and 14)
424,461577,321
Commercial paper42,40872,826
Trade payables:
Related companies (Note 3)19,09416,330
Notes56,72448,668
Accounts581,132570,353


         Total trade payables656,950635,351


Accrued income taxes (Note 9)81,96484,688
Accrued payroll153,441160,568
Other accrued expenses551,426563,370
Deposits and advances from customers109,563102,242
Employees’ deposits150,109151,679
Other current liabilities287,000242,894


         Total current liabilities2,457,3222,590,939


Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt (Notes 7 and 14)643,840709,084
Retirement and severance benefits (Note 8)528,878495,175
Other liabilities (Notes 4 and 9)852915


         Total noncurrent liabilities1,173,5701,205,174


Minority interests (Note 4)588,800609,080
Stockholders’ equity (Note 4):
Common stock of 50 yen par value (Notes 7 and 10):
Authorized - 4,950,000,000 shares (5,000,000,000 shares in 1999)
Issued -         2,062,671,309 shares (2,062,344,774 shares in 1999)209,708209,444
Capital surplus (Notes 7 and 10)570,964567,696
Legal reserve (Note 10)86,55386,112
Retained earnings (Note 10)2,895,2172,824,820
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(294,711)(154,765)
Treasury stock, at cost (Note 10):
229,000 shares (113,000 shares in 1999)(540)(252)


         Total stockholders’ equity3,467,1913,533,055
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 15)


7,686,8837,938,248


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 53 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

YearsOperations for the years ended
March 31, 2000, 19992002, 2001 and 1998

                
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Revenues:
Net sales:
Related companies (Note 3)168,774204,339257,366
Other7,130,6137,435,7807,633,296



Total net sales7,299,3877,640,1197,890,662
Interest income42,94954,43058,211
Dividends received14,6749,8659,953
Other income (Notes 4 and 12)135,74652,638158,523



Total revenues7,492,7567,757,0528,117,349
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (Notes 3 and 12)5,190,7915,346,9145,494,746
Selling, general and administrative expenses (Note 12)1,949,5422,099,5212,058,358
Interest expense46,23762,08361,573
Other deductions (Notes 4, 5, 6 and 12)87,58146,241147,048



Total costs and expenses7,274,1517,554,7597,761,725



Income before income taxes218,605202,293355,624
Provision for income taxes (Note 9):
Current178,445152,303195,948
Deferred(41,430)23,14738,901



137,015175,450234,849



Income before minority interests and equity
   in earnings (losses) of associated companies
81,59026,843120,775
Minority interests(941)7,63225,777
Equity in earnings (losses) of associated companies
   (Note 3)
17,178(5,670)(1,394)



Net income99,70913,54193,604



Yen

Net income per depositary share, each representing
  10 shares of common stock (Note 11):
Basic48465443
Diluted46465415

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 54 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

2000

82
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years for the years ended
March 31, 2000, 19992002, 2001 and 1998

               
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Common stock:
Balance at beginning of year209,444209,416208,473
Conversion of bonds (Notes 10 and 12)26428943



Balance at end of year209,708209,444209,416



Capital surplus:
Balance at beginning of year567,696570,628573,780
Conversion of bonds (Notes 10 and 12)26428944
Transfer of ownership arising on capital transactions by
   consolidated and associated companies (Note 12)
3,004(2,960)(4,096)



Balance at end of year570,964567,696570,628



Legal reserve:
Balance at beginning of year86,11284,03981,663
Transfer from retained earnings (Note 10)4412,0732,376



Balance at end of year86,55386,11284,039



Retained earnings:
Balance at beginning of year2,824,8202,938,5392,874,763
Net income99,70913,54193,604
Cash dividends (Note 10)(28,871)(26,304)(27,452)
Transfer to legal reserve (Note 10)(441)(2,073)(2,376)
Retirement of treasury stock (Note 10)(98,883)



Balance at end of year2,895,2172,824,8202,938,539



Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 4):
Balance at beginning of year(154,765)(32,508)(42,970)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Translation adjustments(139,946)(122,257)10,462



Balance at end of year(294,711)(154,765)(32,508)



(Continued)


- 55 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended March 31, 2000 1999 and 1998

               
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Treasury stock (Note 10):
Balance at beginning of year(252)
Repurchase of common stock(288)(99,135)
Retirement of treasury stock98,883



Balance at end of year(540)(252)



Disclosure of comprehensive income (loss):
Net income99,70913,54193,604
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Translation adjustments(139,946)(122,257)10,462



Total comprehensive income (loss) (Note 4)(40,237)(108,716)104,066



      See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 56 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

83
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years for the years ended
March 31, 2000, 19992002, 2001 and 1998

                
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Cash flows from operating activities (Note 12):
Net income99,70913,54193,604
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization364,966373,155365,129
Net gain on sale of investments(98,278)(14,198)(113,234)
Provision for doubtful receivables11,98013,50520,565
Deferred income taxes(41,430)23,14738,901
Impairment loss on long-lived assets (Note 6)19,56588,662
Minority interests(941)7,63225,777
(Increase) decrease in trade receivables(28,889)(37,724)43,046
(Increase) decrease in inventories17,56436,587(49,299)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets(14,274)(21,951)(24,041)
(Increase) decrease in noncurrent receivables6,3876,527(26,413)
Increase (decrease) in trade payables30,0422,2131,175
Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes261(7,743)(77,003)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other
   current liabilities
65,99529,99484,834
Increase (decrease) in retirement and severance benefits34,62542,23129,178
Other8,85432,23528,398



Net cash provided by operating activities476,136499,151529,279



Cash flows from investing activities (Note 12):
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments259,485376,174488,887
Purchase of short-term investments(278,243)(362,062)(348,350)
Proceeds from disposition of investments and advances146,88584,014203,644
Increase in investments and advances(71,186)(137,456)(322,790)
Capital expenditures(331,475)(359,037)(475,906)
Increase in time deposits(340,000)
Other10,18020,61223,166



Net cash used in investing activities(604,354)(377,755)(431,349)



(Continued)


- 57 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended March 31, 2000 1999 and 1998

               
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Cash flows from financing activities (Note 12):
Decrease in short-term borrowings(156,619)(100,202)(85,660)
Increase in deposits and advances from customers
   and employees
7,5763,4417,545
Proceeds from long-term debt240,485186,717129,109
Repayments of long-term debt(269,915)(388,233)(238,029)
Dividends paid(28,871)(26,304)(27,452)
Dividends paid to minority interests(8,377)(9,998)(9,232)
Repurchase of common stock (Note 10)(288)(99,135)



Net cash used in financing activities(216,009)(433,714)(223,719)



Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(73,096)(60,323)7,185



Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(417,323)(372,641)(118,604)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year1,533,5851,906,2262,024,830



Cash and cash equivalents at end of year1,116,2621,533,5851,906,226



See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 58 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

85
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998

(1)87 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

   
Schedule for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000:
Schedule II                         Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for
                                          the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
123 

All other schedules are omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission as the required information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto, or the schedules are not applicable.


- 79 -

Independent Auditors’ Report

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our report dated April 27, 2001, we expressed an opinion that the 2001 and 2000 consolidated financial statements of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries presented fairly, in all material respects, the financial position, the results of their operations and their cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America except for the omission of segment information. Foreign issuers are presently exempted from such disclosure requirement. As described in Note 18 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries have included the required segment information and restated their 2001 and 2000 consolidated financial statements to conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Accordingly, our present opinion on the 2001 and 2000 consolidated financial statements, as presented herein, is different from that expressed in our previous report.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

KPMG

Osaka, Japan
April 26, 2002, except as to Note 10 and Note 19,
which are as of June 27, 2002


- 80 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2002 and 2001

            
     Yen (millions)
     
Assets 2002 2001

 
 
Current assets:        
 Cash and cash equivalents (Note 7)  899,769   848,878 
 Time deposits (Note 7)  521,333   527,145 
 Short-term investments (Notes 4 and 16)  11,849   11,421 
 Trade receivables (Note 7):        
  Related companies (Note 3)  14,276   21,945 
  Notes  70,522   106,334 
  Accounts  1,042,437   1,310,329 
  Allowance for doubtful receivables  (40,298)  (42,530)
    
   
 
   Net trade receivables  1,086,937   1,396,078 
   
   
 
         
 Inventories (Notes 2 and 7)  834,608   1,047,615 
 Other current assets (Note 9)  487,535   486,812 
    
   
 
         
   Total current assets  3,842,031   4,317,949 
    
   
 
         
Noncurrent receivables (Note 5)  316,230   246,419 
         
Investments and advances (Notes 4 and 16):        
 Associated companies (Note 3)  348,463   336,221 
 Other investments and advances  982,938   1,175,116 
    
   
 
         
   Total investments and advances  1,331,401   1,511,337 
    
   
 
         
Property, plant and equipment (Notes 5 and 6):        
 Land  221,823   223,910 
 Buildings  1,314,122   1,265,932 
 Machinery and equipment  3,148,408   3,188,884 
 Construction in progress  66,578   152,126 
    
   
 
   4,750,931   4,830,852 
 Less accumulated depreciation  3,310,660   3,252,791 
    
   
 
         
   Net property, plant and equipment  1,440,271   1,578,061 
    
   
 
         
Other assets (Note 9)  697,226   502,522 
    
   
 
         
   7,627,159   8,156,288 
   
   
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


w

- 81 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2002 and 2001

             
      Yen (millions)
      
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity 2002 2001

 
 
Current liabilities:        
 Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt
(Notes 5, 7 and 16)
  489,725   470,965 
 Commercial paper  18,339   77,494 
 Trade payables:        
   Related companies (Note 3)  18,064   18,860 
   Notes  26,446   73,430 
   Accounts  501,935   585,433 
    
   
 
    Total trade payables  546,445   677,723 
   
   
 
         
 Accrued income taxes (Note 9)  25,184   55,343 
 Accrued payroll  147,897   158,697 
 Other accrued expenses  647,237   663,541 
 Deposits and advances from customers  109,263   114,179 
 Employees’ deposits  136,387   153,147 
 Other current liabilities  365,599   321,698 
    
   
 
    Total current liabilities  2,486,076   2,692,787 
    
   
 
         
Noncurrent liabilities:        
 Long-term debt (Notes 5, 7 and 16)  691,892   541,541 
 Retirement and severance benefits (Note 8)  718,501   558,396 
 Other liabilities (Note 9)  21,375   23,075 
    
   
 
    Total noncurrent liabilities  1,431,768   1,123,012 
    
   
 
Minority interests  466,231   567,809 
         
Stockholders’ equity:        
 Common stock (Notes 7 and 10):        
  Authorized - 4,950,000,000 shares        
  Issued         - 2,138,514,603 shares (2,079,572,737 shares in 2001)  258,737   210,994 
 Capital surplus (Notes 7 and 10)  682,848   621,267 
 Legal reserve (Note 10)  82,354   88,251 
 Retained earnings (Note 10)  2,461,963   2,924,071 
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Notes 4, 8, 11 and 15):        
  Cumulative translation adjustments  (51,287)  (150,027)
  Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities  50,888   78,863 
  Unrealized gains of derivative instruments  128    
  Minimum pension liability adjustments  (150,362)   
   
   
 
    Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (150,633)  (71,164)
   
   
 
 Treasury stock, at cost (Note 10):        
   54,793,408 shares (295,000 shares in 2001)  (92,185)  (739)
    
   
 
    Total stockholders’ equity  3,243,084   3,772,680 
         
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 17)        
   
   
 
   7,627,159   8,156,288 
   
   
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 82 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

                
      Yen (millions) 
      
 
     2002 2001 2000
      
   
   
 
Revenues:            
 Net sales:            
  Related companies (Note 3)  115,603   171,756   168,774 
  Other  6,761,085   7,509,805   7,130,613 
   
   
   
 
   Total net sales  6,876,688   7,681,561   7,299,387 
             
 Interest income  33,556   43,712   42,949 
 Dividends received  9,162   12,237   14,674 
 Other income (Notes 4, 5, 13 and 15)  53,774   54,082   135,746 
   
   
   
 
   Total revenues  6,973,180   7,791,592   7,492,756 
             
Costs and expenses:            
 Cost of sales (Notes 3 and 13)  5,134,077   5,481,314   5,190,791 
 Selling, general and administrative expenses (Note 13)  1,954,418   2,011,843   1,949,542 
 Interest expense  41,213   43,538   46,237 
 Other deductions (Notes 4, 6, 13 and 15)  391,481   154,162   87,581 
   
   
   
 
   Total costs and expenses  7,521,189   7,690,857   7,274,151 
   
   
   
 
             
   Income (loss) before income taxes  (548,009)  100,735   218,605 
             
Provision for income taxes (Note 9):            
 Current  30,035   117,855   178,445 
 Deferred  (87,246)  (67,994)  (41,430)
   
   
   
 
   (57,211)  49,861   137,015 
   
   
   
 
   Income (loss) before minority interests and equity in earnings of associated companies  (490,798)  50,874   81,590 
             
Minority interests  (59,732)  22,125   (941)
             
Equity in earnings of associated companies (Note 3)  59   12,751   17,178 
   
   
   
 
             
   Net income (loss)  (431,007)  41,500   99,709 
   
   
   
 
             
      Yen 
      
 
Net income (loss) per share of common stock (Note 12):            
 Basic  (207.65)  19.96   48.35 
 Diluted  (207.65)  19.56   46.36 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 83 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

              
    Yen (millions) 
    
 
   2002 2001 2000
   
 
 
Common stock (Notes 10 and 13):            
 Balance at beginning of year  210,994   209,708   209,444 
 Conversion of bonds  47,743   470   264 
 Stock issued under exchange offering     816    
   
   
   
 
             
 Balance at end of year  258,737   210,994   209,708 
   
   
   
 
             
Capital surplus (Notes 10 and 13):            
 Balance at beginning of year  621,267   570,964   567,696 
 Conversion of bonds  47,743   470   264 
 Stock issued under exchange offering     49,291    
 Transfer from legal reserve and retained earnings due to merger of subsidiaries  11,008   1,511    
 Capital transactions by consolidated and associated companies  2,830   (969)  3,004 
   
   
   
 
             
 Balance at end of year  682,848   621,267   570,964 
   
   
   
 
             
Legal reserve (Note 10):            
 Balance at beginning of year  88,251   86,553   86,112 
 Transfer from retained earnings  771   1,698   441 
 Transfer to capital surplus due to merger of subsidiaries  (6,668)      
   
   
   
 
             
 Balance at end of year  82,354   88,251   86,553 
   
   
   
 
             
Retained earnings (Note 10):            
 Balance at beginning of year  2,924,071   2,911,665   2,841,268 
 Net income (loss)  (431,007)  41,500   99,709 
 Cash dividends  (25,990)  (25,885)  (28,871)
 Transfer to legal reserve  (771)  (1,698)  (441)
 Transfer to capital surplus due to merger of subsidiaries  (4,340)  (1,511)   
    
   
   
 
             
 Balance at end of year  2,461,963   2,924,071   2,911,665 
   
   
   
 

(Continued)       


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MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

               
     Yen (millions) 
     
 
    2002 2001 2000
    
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 11):            
 Balance at beginning of year  (71,164)  (94,021)  (62,117)
 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (79,469)  22,857   (31,904)
   
   
   
 
             
 Balance at end of year  (150,633)  (71,164)  (94,021)
   
   
   
 
             
Treasury stock (Note 10):            
 Balance at beginning of year  (739)  (540)  (252)
 Repurchase of common stock  (91,969)  (307)  (288)
 Exercise of stock options     83    
 Sale of treasury stock  523   25    
    
   
   
 
             
 Balance at end of year  (92,185)  (739)  (540)
   
   
   
 
             
Disclosure of comprehensive income (loss) (Note 11):            
 Net income (loss)  (431,007)  41,500   99,709 
 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:            
  Translation adjustments  98,740   144,684   (139,946)
  Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities  (27,975)  (121,827)  108,042 
  Unrealized gains of derivative instruments  128       
  Minimum pension liability adjustments  (150,362)      
    
   
   
 
             
 Total comprehensive income (loss)  (510,476)  64,357   67,805 
   
   
   
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

                
     Yen (millions)
     
     2002 2001 2000
     
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities (Note 13):            
 Net income (loss)  (431,007)  41,500   99,709 
 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:            
   Depreciation and amortization  352,890   374,102   364,966 
   Net gain on sale of investments  (6,160)  (13,706)  (98,278)
   Provision for doubtful receivables  4,170   16,449   11,980 
   Deferred income taxes  (87,246)  (67,994)  (41,430)
   Write-down of investment securities  92,806   5,330   15,325 
   Impairment loss on long-lived assets (Note 6)  24,420      19,565 
   Minority interests  (59,732)  22,125   (941)
   (Increase) decrease in trade receivables  199,266   (69,146)  (28,889)
   (Increase) decrease in inventories  248,601   (56,335)  17,564 
   (Increase) decrease in other current assets  (30,694)  27,682   (14,274)
   Increase (decrease) in trade payables  (127,978)  (4,284)  30,042 
   Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes  (32,379)  (28,839)  261 
   Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other current liabilities  4,230   101,747   65,995 
   Increase (decrease) in retirement and severance benefits  (86,345)  26,789   34,625 
   Other  12,022   17,032   (84)
   
   
   
 
             
                  Net cash provided by operating activities  76,864   392,452   476,136 
   
   
   
 
             
Cash flows from investing activities (Note 13):            
 Proceeds from sale of short-term investments  21,103   145,870   259,485 
 Purchase of short-term investments  (14,503)  (105,127)  (278,243)
 Proceeds from disposition of investments and advances  172,588   110,405   146,885 
 Increase in investments and advances  (123,037)  (71,203)  (71,186)
 Capital expenditures  (335,695)  (480,844)  (331,475)
 Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment  142,072   35,407   25,349 
 (Increase) decrease in finance receivables  60,731   9,754   18,562 
 (Increase) decrease in time deposits  29,742   (160,576)  (340,000)
 Other  (22,767)  (66,274)  (33,731)
    
   
   
 
                  Net cash used in investing activities  (69,766)  (582,588)  (604,354)
   
   
   
 

(Continued)          


- 86 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

               
     Yen (millions) 
     
 
    2002 2001 2000
    
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities (Note 13):            
 Decrease in short-term borrowings  (62,969)  (44,573)  (156,619)
 Increase (decrease) in deposits and advances from customers and employees  (22,768)  3,822   7,576 
 Proceeds from long-term debt  446,228   380,185   240,485 
 Repayments of long-term debt  (208,804)  (415,838)  (269,915)
 Dividends paid  (25,990)  (25,885)  (28,871)
 Dividends paid to minority interests  (9,905)  (8,027)  (8,377)
 Repurchase of common stock (Note 10)  (91,969)  (307)  (288)
 Decrease of treasury stock (Note 10)  523   108    
 Other  5,115   (2,211)   
    
   
   
 
             
                          Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  29,461   (112,726)  (216,009)
   
   
   
 
             
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  14,332   35,478   (73,096)
    
   
   
 
             
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  50,891   (267,384)  (417,323)
             
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  848,878   1,116,262   1,533,585 
    
   
   
 
             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  899,769   848,878   1,116,262 
   
   
   
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

(1)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a)Description of Business

 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, the “Company,” including consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires) is one of the world’s leading producers of electronic and electric products. The Company currently offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and components for consumer, business and industrial use based on sophisticated electronics and precision technology. Most of the Company’s products are marketed under several trade names, including “Panasonic,” “National,” “Technics,” “Quasar,” “Victor” and “JVC.”

Sales in fiscal 2002 were categorized as follows: AVC Networks—59%, Home Appliances—17%, Industrial Equipment—4%, and Components and Devices—20%. A sales breakdown in fiscal 2002 by geographical market was as follows: Japan—49%, North and South America—20%, Europe—11%, and Asia and Others—20%.
 Sales in fiscal 2000 were categorized as follows: video and audio equipment — 23%, home appliances and household equipment — 18%, information and communications equipment — 28%, industrial equipment — 10%, and components — 21%. A sales breakdown in fiscal 2000 by geographical market was as follows: Japan — 51%, North and South America — 19%, Europe — 12%, and Asia and Others — 18%.

 The Company is not dependent on a single supplier, and has no significant difficulty in obtaining raw materials from suppliers.

 
(b)Basis of Presentation of Consolidated Financial Statements

 The Company and its domestic subsidiaries maintain their books of account in conformity with financial accounting standards of Japan, and its foreign subsidiaries in conformity with those of the countries of their domicile.

 The consolidated financial statements presented herein have been prepared in a manner and reflect the adjustments which are necessary to conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 
(c)Principles of Consolidation (See Note 3)

 The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
Investments in certain associated companies in which the Company’s ownership is 20% to 50% are stated at their underlying net equity value after elimination of intercompany profits.


- 88 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 Investments in certain associated companies in which the Company’s ownership is 20% to 50% are stated at their underlying net equity value after elimination of intercompany profits.


- 59 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 The difference between the cost and underlying net equity at acquisition of investments in subsidiaries and associated companies accounted for on an equity basis is allocated to identifiable assets based on fair market value at the date of acquisition. The unallocated portion of the difference, which is recognized as goodwill, is being amortized over a ten- to forty-year period.

 
(d)Revenue Recognition

Revenues from sales are principally recognized when products are shipped to customers.

 
The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.
(e)Leases (See Note 5)

Certain subsidiaries of the Company lease
A subsidiary of the Company leases machinery and equipment. Leases of such assets are principally accounted for as direct financing leases and included in “Trade receivables—Accounts” and “Noncurrent receivables” in the accompanying balance sheets.

 
(f)Inventories (See Note 2)

 Finished goods and work in process are stated at the lower of cost (average) or market. Raw materials are stated at cost, principally on a first-in, first-out basis, not in excess of current replacement cost.

(g)Foreign Currency Translation (See Note 11)
  
(g)Foreign Currency Translation

 Foreign currency financial statements are translated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation,” under which all assets and liabilities are translated into yen at year-end rates and income and expense accounts are translated at weighted average rates. Adjustments resulting from the translation of financial statements are reflected under the caption, “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

 
(h)Property, Plant and Equipment

 Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily using the declining balance method based on the following estimated useful lives:

 
Buildings5 to 50 years
Machinery and equipment 
Buildings5 to 50 years
Machinery and equipment2 to 10 years


- 60 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(i)Short-term Investments and Investments and Advances (See Note 4)

Marketable equity securities included in short-term investments and in investments and advances are carried at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined by the average method. Other items included in short-term investments, primarily marketable securities classified as current assets and those included in investments and advances, are carried at cost or less.


In May 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” applicable for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1994. This Statement addresses the accounting and reporting for investments in equity securities that have readily determinable fair values and for all investments in debt securities. The Company decided not to apply SFAS No. 115 in the body of its consolidated financial statements in order to maintain comparability to consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Japan where such debt and equity securities are reported at historical cost. The effects on the consolidated financial statements of not adopting SFAS No. 115 are summarized in Note 4. This treatment was approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

- 89 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 (i)Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (See Notes 4 and 11)
The Company accounts for debt and equity securities in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”
SFAS No. 115 requires that certain investments in debt and equity securities be classified as held-to-maturity, trading, or available-for-sale securities. The Company classifies its existing marketable equity securities other than investments in associated companies and all debt securities as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains or losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes.
Individual securities classified as available-for-sale are reduced to net realizable value by a charge to income for other than temporary declines in fair value. Realized gains and losses are determined on the average cost method and are reflected in income.
(j) 
(j)Noncurrent Receivables (See Note 5)

Noncurrent receivables are recorded at cost, less the related allowance for impaired receivables. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows or the fair value of the collateral. Cash receipts on impaired receivables are applied to reduce the principal amount of such receivables until the principal has been recovered and are recognized as interest income, thereafter.

(k)Income Taxes (See Note 9)

 Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.

 Income taxes have not been accrued for undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and associated companies, as these amounts are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. Calculation of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable.


- 61 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(k)Advertising (See Note 13)
  
(l)Advertising (See Note 12)

 Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

(m)Net Income per Depositary Share (See Notes 7, 10 and 11)
(l)Net Income (Loss) per Share (See Notes 7, 10 and 12)

The Company accounts for net income per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” This Statement establishes standards for computing net income per share and requires dual presentation of basic and diluted net income per share on the face of the income statement
The Company accounts for net income (loss) per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” This Statement establishes standards for computing net income (loss) per share and requires dual presentation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share on the face of the statements of operations for all entities with complex capital structures.


- 90 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 Under SFAS No. 128, basic net income (loss) per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period, and diluted net income (loss) per share assumes the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock.

 
(m) 
(n)Cash Equivalents

 Cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less.

(o)Derivative Financial Instruments (See Notes 13 and 14)
(n)Derivative Financial Instruments (See Notes 14, 15 and 16)

 Derivative financial instruments utilized by the Company and its subsidiaries are comprised principally of foreign exchange contracts used to hedge currency risk. Gains and losses on derivatives used to hedge existing assets or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in income currently, as are the offsetting foreign exchange gains and losses on the items hedged. Gains and losses related to qualifying hedges of firm commitments denominated in foreign currencies are deferred and recognized in income when the transaction occurs. Derivative financial instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting are comprised principally of foreign exchange contracts used to hedge currency risk.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, an amendment of SFAS No. 133,” on April 1, 2001, gains and losses on derivatives used to hedge existing assets or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies were recognized in income currently, as were the offsetting foreign exchange gains and losses on the items hedged. Gains and losses related to qualifying hedges of firm commitments denominated in foreign currencies were deferred and recognized in income when the transaction occurred. Derivative financial instruments that did not meet the criteria for hedge accounting were marked to market.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 133, as amended, for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2001. The cumulative effect upon adoption was not significant. After the adoption of SFAS No. 133, as amended, the Company recognizes derivatives in the balance sheet at their fair value in “Other current assets” or “Other current liabilities.” On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as either a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair-value” hedge), a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash-flow” hedge), or a foreign-currency fair-value or cash-flow hedge (“foreign-currency” hedge). The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.


- 91 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


- 62 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability or unrecognized firm commitment of the hedged item that is attributable to the hedged risk are recorded in earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash-flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are highly effective as hedges and that are designated and qualify as foreign-currency hedges are recorded in either earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether the hedge transaction is a fair-value hedge or a cash-flow hedge. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as part of a hedging relationship are reported in current period earnings.
(o) 
(p)Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of (See Note 6)

 The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of.” This Statement requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

 
(p) 
(q)Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company adopted SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” in the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1998, except for the effects on comprehensive income (loss) of the Company’s departure from the provisions of SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (See Note 4). Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and change in foreign currency translation adjustments, and is presented in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.

(r)Use of Estimates

 Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(q)Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform with the presentation used for the year ended March 31, 2002.


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MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 (r) 
(s)New Accounting Pronouncements
The Company will adopt Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (EITF) 01-9 “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vender to a Customer or Reseller of the Vendor’s Products” in the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2002. The Company does not expect that the adoption of EITF 01-9 will materially affect the results of operations or financial position.
In June 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS No. 141 requires that all business combinations be accounted for by the purchase method and changes the criteria for recognition of intangible assets acquired in business combinations. The provisions of SFAS No. 141 apply to all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, as well as all purchase method business combinations completed after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 142 will require that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized but should be tested at least annually for impairment. Intangible assets that have estimable useful lives will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. SFAS No. 142 also provides specific guidance for testing for impairment of goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 will be effective from the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2002, however, goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001, will be subject immediately to the nonamortization and amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. The adoption of SFAS No. 141 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 142 will materially affect the results of operations or financial position.
In June 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. This Statement applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and (or) normal operation of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and subsequently allocated to expense over the asset’s useful life. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 143 on April 1, 2003. The Company does not expect that the adoption will materially affect the results of operations or financial position.

In June 1998, FASB issued SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, applicable for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2001. This Statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and the type of hedge transaction. The ineffective portion of all hedges will be recognized in earnings. The Company has not yet determined the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will have

- 93 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In August 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” applicable for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2002. SFAS No. 144 amends the existing guidance on accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets to be held or used, establishes one accounting model to be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 144 will materially affect the results of operations or financial position.


- 63 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(t)Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of the consolidated statements of income for the years ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 have been made to conform with the presentation for the year ended March 31, 2000.

(2)Inventories
Inventories at March 31, 2000 and 1999 are summarized as follows:

         
Yen (millions)

20001999


Finished goods   479,439540,173
Work in process168,066176,793
Raw materials294,700301,697


942,2051,018,663


 
Inventories at March 31, 2002 and 2001 are summarized as follows:
         
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002 2001
  
 
Finished goods  422,582   516,972 
Work in process  157,116   187,309 
Raw materials  254,910   343,334 
   
   
 
         
   834,608   1,047,615 
   
   
 


- 94 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(3)Investments in and Transactions with Associated Companies

Certain financial information in respect of associated companies at March 31, 2002 and 2001 and for the three years ended March 31, 2002 is shown below. The most significant of these associated companies is Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (MEW). At March 31, 2002, the Company has a 33.1% equity ownership in MEW.
Certain financial information in respect of associated companies at March 31, 2000 and 1999 and for the three years ended March 31, 2000 is shown below. The most significant of these associated companies is Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (MEW). At March 31, 2000, the Company has a 32.1% equity ownership in MEW. On December 8, 1997, Universal Studios, Inc. (Universal) issued new shares to the Seagram Company Ltd. As a result, the Company’s ownership interest in Universal fell below 20%. The financial information of Universal for fiscal 1998 and thereafter is not included in the following.
         
Yen (millions)

20001999


Current assets952,770945,218
Other assets1,413,9391,458,959


2,366,7092,404,177
Current liabilities631,560610,683
Other liabilities808,922858,707


       Net assets926,227934,787


Company’s equity in net assets267,454262,488


          
   Yen (millions)
   
   2002 2001
   
 
          Current assets  884,729   851,026 
          Other assets  1,376,341   1,552,170 
   
   
 
   2,261,070   2,403,196 
         
          Current liabilities  674,512   585,769 
          Other liabilities  657,753   869,257 
   
   
 
         
           Net assets  928,805   948,170 
   
   
 
         
          Company’s equity in net assets  290,753   279,266 
   
   
 
             
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002 2001 2000
  
 
 
 Net sales 1,562,422   1,807,373   1,835,138 
 Gross profit 423,583   492,107   500,373 
 Net income 4,345   8,399   47,651 


Purchases and dividends received from associated companies for the three years ended March 31, 2002 are as follows:
             
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002 2001 2000
  
 
 
 Purchases from 152,234   177,865   235,599 
 Dividends received 5,693   5,089   7,935 

- 64 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

             
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Net sales1,835,1382,175,6722,306,649
Gross profit500,373502,972553,459
Net income (loss)47,651(12,807)23,690

Purchases and dividends received from associated companies for the three years ended March 31, 2000 are as follows:

             
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Purchases from235,599258,881259,451
Dividends received7,93510,9959,875

Retained earnings include undistributed earnings of associated companies in the amount of 81,660 million yen and 85,206 million yen, respectively, as of March 31, 2000 and 1999.
Investments in associated companies include equity securities which have quoted market values at March 31, 2000 and 1999 compared with related carrying amounts as follows:

         
Yen (millions)

20001999


Carrying amount272,343257,924
Market value310,311343,236
(4)Short-term Investments and Investments and Advances

As discussed in Note 1(i), the Company does not apply SFAS No. 115 in the body of its consolidated financial statements. The effects on the consolidated financial statements of not adopting SFAS No. 115 are disclosed in this note.
Retained earnings include undistributed earnings of associated companies in the amount of 86,031 million yen and 89,413 million yen, respectively, as of March 31, 2002 and 2001.


- 95 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Investments in associated companies include equity securities which have quoted market values at March 31, 2002 and 2001 compared with related carrying amounts as follows:
SFAS No. 115 requires that certain investments in debt and equity securities be classified as held-to-maturity, trading, or available-for-sale securities. The short-term investments and investments and advances of the Company consist of available-for-sale securities. The consolidated statements of income for the three years ended March 31, 2000 were not materially affected by SFAS No. 115.

         
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002 2001
  
 
Carrying amount  274,389   278,199 
Market value  275,174   355,851 

(4)Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities


- 65 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company classifies its existing marketable equity securities other than investments in associated companies and all debt securities as available-for-sale.
The cost, fair value, gross unrealized holding gains, and gross unrealized holding losses of available-for-sale securities included in short-term investments and investments and advances at March 31, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:
The effects on balance sheet items of the Company’s departure from SFAS No. 115 as of March 31, 2000 and 1999 are summarized as follows:

           
Yen (millions)

20001999


Stockholders’ equity as reported3,467,1913,533,055
Net increase in the carrying amount of:
Short-term investments2,1676,596
Investments and advances376,751187,639
Net decrease in deferred tax assets and increase in
   deferred tax liabilities:
Current deferred tax assets (decrease)(912)(2,791)
Noncurrent deferred tax assets (decrease)(112,771)(78,545)
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities (increase)(45,440)(69)
Net unrealized gain on securities held by associated
   companies
2,9573,382
Net increase in minority interests(5,614)(7,116)


Total adjustments to stockholders’ equity217,138109,096


Stockholders’ equity in accordance with U.S. generally
   accepted accounting principles
3,684,3293,642,151


                  
   Yen (millions)
   
   2002
   
           Gross Gross
           unrealized unrealized
       Fair holding holding
   Cost value gains losses
   
 
 


 


Current:                         
 Japanese and foreign government bonds  3,804   3,807   4   1 
 Convertible and straight bonds  709   709       
 Other debt securities  7,333   7,333       
    
   
   
   
 
                 
   11,846   11,849   4   1 
    
   
   
   
 
                 
Noncurrent:                
 Equity securities  288,816   411,621   125,778   2,973 
 Japanese and foreign government bonds  46,645   43,966      2,679 
 Convertible and straight bonds  3,537   3,576   47   8 
 Investment trusts  13,662   13,609   15   68 
 Other debt securities  41,769   42,325   556    
    
   
   
   
 
                 
   394,429   515,097   126,396   5,728 
    
   
   
   
 

As a result of the above adjustments, total assets at March 31, 2000 and 1999 would increase by 268,192 million yen and 116,281 million yen, respectively.


If the provisions of SFAS No. 115 had been applied, comprehensive income for the year ended March 31, 2000 would amount to 67,805 million yen, compared with comprehensive loss of 83,188 million yen and comprehensive income of 41,581 million yen for the years ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.


- 66 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The carrying amount, fair value, gross unrealized holding gains, and gross unrealized holding losses of available-for-sale securities included in short-term investments and investments and advances at March 31, 2000 and 1999 are as follows:

                  
Yen (millions)

2000

GrossGross
unrealizedunrealized
CarryingFairholdingholding
amountvaluegainslosses




Current:
Equity securities2,4784,5692,091
Japanese and foreign government bonds84,74884,79547
Convertible and straight bonds14,61914,64829
Investment trust7474
Other debt securities32,79732,797




134,716136,8832,167




Noncurrent:
Equity securities374,591752,251377,660
Japanese and foreign government bonds5,1285,07157
Convertible and straight bonds1,8631,87411
Investment trust95,80494,9422101,072
Other debt securities12,63112,6301




490,017866,768377,8811,130




- 96 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                  
   Yen (millions)
   
   2001
   
           Gross Gross
           unrealized unrealized
       Fair holding holding
   Cost value gains losses
   
 
 
 
Current:                
      Japanese and foreign government bonds  3,288   3,299   21   10 
      Convertible and straight bonds  3,042   3,046   5   1 
      Investment trusts  77   77       
      Other debt securities  4,994   4,999   5    
    
   
   
   
 
                 
   11,401   11,421   31   11 
    
   
   
   
 
                 
Noncurrent:                
      Equity securities  369,972   533,421   179,305   15,856 
      Japanese and foreign government bonds  58,441   57,056   70   1,455 
      Convertible and straight bonds  6,973   6,953   17   37 
      Investment trusts  68,418   67,889   48   577 
      Other debt securities  39,335   40,152   817    
    
   
   
   
 
                 
   543,139   705,471   180,257   17,925 
    
   
   
   
 


- 67 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                  
Yen (millions)

1999

GrossGross
unrealizedunrealized
CarryingFairholdingholding
amountvaluegainslosses




Current:
Equity securities1,6078,1856,578
Japanese and foreign government bonds80,76781,002235
Convertible and straight bonds20,87020,75143162
Investment trust7676
Other debt securities21,00720,90915113




124,327130,9236,871275




Noncurrent:
Equity securities384,417572,302187,885
Japanese and foreign government bonds5,1445,15915
Convertible and straight bonds1,3511,36716
Investment trust85,11684,83029315
Other debt securities3,1303,1399




479,158666,797187,954315




Maturities of investments in available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:
                 
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002 2001
  
 
      Fair     Fair
  Cost value Cost value
  
 
 
 
Due within one year  11,846   11,849   11,401   11,421 
Due after one year through five years  105,613   103,476   173,167   172,050 
Equity securities  288,816   411,621   369,972   533,421 
   
   
   
   
 
                 
   406,275   526,946   554,540   716,892 
   
   
   
   
 

Maturities of short-term investments and investments and advances classified as available-for-sale at March 31, 2000 and 1999 are as follows:

                 
Yen (millions)

20001999


CarryingFairCarryingFair
amountvalueamountvalue




Due within one year132,238132,314122,666122,676
Due after one year through five years113,426112,51794,79394,554
Due after five years2,0002,00023
Equity securities377,069756,820386,024580,487




624,7331,003,651603,485797,720





- 97 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


- 68 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The change in net unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities, net of related taxes and minority interests, for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 was an increase of 108,042 million yen, an increase of 25,528
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were 158,637 million yen, 202,023 million yen and 326,811 million yen, respectively. The gross realized gains for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were 10,582 million yen, 16,638 million yen and 40,590 million yen, respectively. The gross realized losses on sale of available-for-sale securities for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were 4,422 million yen, 2,932 million yen and a decrease of 62,485 million yen, respectively.

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 were 326,811 million yen, 434,082 million yen and 657,449 million yen, respectively. The gross realized gains for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 were 40,590 million yen, 14,594 million yen and 118,370 million yen, respectively. The gross realized losses for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 were 878 million yen, 396 million yen and 5,136 million yen, respectively. The cost of securities sold in computing gross realized gains and losses is determined by the average cost method.

(5)Noncurrent Receivables
During the year ended March 31, 2002, the Company incurred a write-down of 92,806 million yen on investment securities reflecting the aggravated condition of the Japanese stock market. The write-down is included in other deductions of costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
(5)Leases
The Company and its subsidiaries have capital and operating leases for certain machinery and equipment. At March 31, 2002, the gross amount of machinery and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation recorded under capital leases was 9,314 million yen and 5,337 million yen, respectively.
During the year ended March 31, 2002, the Company sold and leased back certain machinery and equipment for 108,024 million yen. The lease base term is four years. The resulting leases are being accounted for as operating leases. The resulting gains of these transactions, included in other income, were not significant. The Company has options to purchase the leased assets, or to terminate the leases and guarantee a specified value of the leased assets thereof, subject to certain conditions, during or at the end of the lease term.
Rental expense for operating leases, including the above-mentioned sale-leaseback transactions was 4,415 million yen for the year ended March 31, 2002. Rental expense for operating leases for the years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 were not significant.


- 98 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Future minimum lease payments under capital leases and operating leases at March 31, 2002 are as follows:

         
  Yen (millions)
  
   Capital  Operating
Year ending March 31: leases leases
  
 
2003  1,774   14,483 
2004  1,295   20,430 
2005  756   20,362 
2006  404   24,164 
2007  100   18,719 
Thereafter  21    
   
   
 
Total minimum lease payments  4,350   98,158 
       
 
Less amount representing interest  222     
   
     
Present value of net minimum lease payments  4,128     
Less current portion  1,664     
   
     
         
Long-term capital lease obligations  2,464     
   
     

A subsidiary of the Company leases machinery and equipment. Leases of such assets are principally accounted for as direct financing leases. Investments in financing leases at March 31, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:

         
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002      2001  
  
    
Total minimum lease payments to be received 433,516        480,122
Less amounts representing estimated executory cost  16,436      16,995 
Less unearned income  28,692      36,209 
   
      
 
   388,388      426,918 
Less allowance for doubtful receivables  4,112      5,104 
   
      
 
            
Net investment in financing leases  384,276      421,814 
Less current portion  137,118      178,629 
   
      
 
            
Long-term investment in financing leases  247,158      243,185 
   
      
 


- 99 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The aggregate annual maturities of the investments in financing leases after March 31, 2002 are as follows:

     
  Yen (millions)
  
Year ending March 31:    
     
2003  145,520 
2004  120,470 
2005  85,517 
2006  51,426 
2007  22,669 
Thereafter  7,914 
   
 
     
Total minimum lease payments to be received  433,516 
   
 

The recorded investment in noncurrent receivables for which impairment has been recognized at March 31, 2000 and 1999 was 4,903 million yen and 6,829 million yen, respectively. Related allowance for doubtful receivables was not significant at March 31, 2000 and 1999. The average recorded investment in impaired receivables during the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 was 6,462 million yen, 13,126 million yen and 73,954 million yen, respectively. Additions charged to bad debt expenses were not significant for the years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, and were 12,249 million yen for the year ended March 31, 1998. Write-downs charged against the allowance were not significant for the years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, and were 74,897 million yen for the year ended March 31, 1998.

(6)Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically reviews the recorded value of its long-lived assets to determine if the future cash flows to be derived from these properties will be sufficient to recover the remaining recorded asset values. As discussed in Note 1(p)
The Company periodically reviews the recorded value of its long-lived assets to determine if the future cash flows to be derived from these properties will be sufficient to recover the remaining recorded asset values. As discussed in Note 1(o), the Company accounts for impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 121.

The Company recognized an impairment loss of 24,420 million yen during fiscal 2002 related to the write-down of the machinery and equipment to manufacture display devices and other components.
 The Company recognized an impairment loss of 19,565 million yen during fiscal 2000 related to the write-down of the machinery and equipment to manufacture CRTs and other components.

 The Company recognized an impairment loss of 57,290 million yen during fiscal 1998 related to the write-down of the machinery and equipment to manufacture semiconductors, mainly DRAMs.

 In both cases, as the prices of these products significantly decreased during the respective fiscal year due to highly competitive market conditions, the Company projected that the future business of subsidiaries manufacturing those products would result in a net operating loss.


- 69 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company recognized an impairment loss of 31,372 million yen during fiscal 1998 related to the decline in value of land held.
Impairment losses recorded in fiscal 2002 and 2000 are included in other deductions of costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.


- 100 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Impairment losses recorded in fiscal 2000 and 1998 are included in other deductions of costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

(7)Long-term Debt and Short-term Borrowings
Long-term debt at March 31, 2002 and 2001 is set forth below:
         
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002 2001
  
 
Convertible bonds, due 2002, interest 1.3%     98,708 
Convertible bonds, due 2004, interest 1.4%  97,744   97,744 
Convertible bonds issued by subsidiaries, due 2002 and 2005, interest 0.35%—1.5%  45,482   45,482 
U.S. dollar unsecured bonds, due 2002, effective interest 5.8%  125,237   125,152 
Straight bonds, due 2005, interest 0.42%  100,000    
Straight bonds, due 2007, interest 0.87%  100,000    
Straight bonds, due 2011, interest 1.64%  100,000    
Straight bonds issued by a subsidiary, due 2003—2007, interest 1.68%—2.15%  45,000   50,000 
Unsecured yen loans from banks and insurance companies, principally by financial subsidiaries, due 2001—2007, effective interest 0.8% in 2002 and 1.2% in 2001  339,772   393,392 
Capital lease obligation  4,128    
   
   
 
   957,363   810,478 
Less current portion  265,471   268,937 
   
   
 
         
   691,892   541,541 
   
   
 

The aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt after March 31, 2002 are as follows:

      
   Yen (millions)
   
Year ending March 31:    
 2003  265,471 
 2004  202,064 
 2005  179,052 
 2006  68,170 
 2007  132,570 

 Long-term debt at March 31, 2000 and 1999 is set forth below:

         
Yen (millions)

20001999


Convertible bonds, due 2002, interest 1.3%98,89399,010
Convertible bonds, due 2004, interest 1.4%98,49998,911
Convertible bonds issued by subsidiaries, due 2000, 2002 and
   2005, interest 0.35% — 4.3%
66,48266,482
U.S. dollar unsecured bonds, due 2002, effective interest 5.8%125,067124,982
Straight bonds issued by a subsidiary, due 2001 — 2005,
   interest 1.38% — 2.15%
20,00020,000
Unsecured yen loans from banks and insurance companies,
   principally by financial subsidiaries, due 1999 — 2005,
   effective interest 1.7% in 2000 and 1.9% in 1999
402,930434,158
Other long-term debt4853


811,919843,596
Less current portion168,079134,512


643,840709,084


The aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt after March 31, 2000 are as follows:

      
Yen (millions)

Year ending March 31:
2001168,079
2002232,079
2003217,093
2004143,727
200523,242


- 70 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 As is customary in Japan, short-term and long-term bank loans are made under general agreements which provide that security and guarantees for future and present indebtedness will be given upon request of the bank, and that the bank shall have the right, as the obligations become due, or in the event of their default, to offset cash deposits against such obligations due to the bank.
Each of the loan agreements grants the lender the right to request additional security or mortgages on property, plant and equipment. At March 31, 2000 and 1999, short-term loans subject to such general agreements amounted to 151,970 million yen and 298,942 million yen, respectively. The balance of short-term loans represents borrowings under commercial paper, acceptances and short-term loans of foreign subsidiaries. The weighted average interest rates on short-term borrowings outstanding at March 31, 2000 and 1999 were 3.1% and 4.3%, respectively.
Acceptances payable by foreign subsidiaries, in the amount of 242 million yen and 794 million yen at March 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively, are secured by a portion of the cash, accounts receivable and inventories of such subsidiaries. The amount of assets pledged is not calculable.
The 1.3% convertible bonds maturing in 2002 are currently redeemable at the option of the Company at prices ranging from 102% of principal to 100% of principal, and are currently convertible into approximately 61,045,000 shares of common stock at 1,620 yen per share.
The 1.4% convertible bonds maturing in 2004 are redeemable from 2000


- 101 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Each of the loan agreements grants the lender the right to request additional security or mortgages on property, plant and equipment. At March 31, 2002 and 2001, short-term loans subject to such general agreements amounted to 108,386 million yen and 88,069 million yen, respectively. The balance of short-term loans represents borrowings under commercial paper, acceptances and short-term loans of foreign subsidiaries. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding at March 31, 2002 and 2001 was 4.2%.
Acceptances payable by foreign subsidiaries, in the amount of 108 million yen and 187 million yen at March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, are secured by a portion of the cash, accounts receivable and inventories of such subsidiaries. The amount of assets pledged is not calculable.
The 1.4% convertible bonds maturing in 2004 are redeemable from 2001 at the option of the Company at prices ranging from 102% of principal to 100% of principal, and are currently convertible into approximately 60,336,000 shares of common stock at 1,620 yen per share.
The convertible bonds maturing through 2005 issued by subsidiaries are redeemable at the option of the subsidiaries at prices ranging from 103% of principal to 100% of principal, and are currently convertible into approximately 60,802,000 shares of common stock at 1,620 yen per share.
The convertible bonds maturing through 2005 issued by subsidiaries are redeemable at the option of the subsidiaries at prices ranging from 105% of principal to 100% of principal near maturity.

  The Company set up a shelf registration in Japan for issuance of straight bonds within two years from December 29, 2001 with the maximum aggregate principal amount of 500,000 million yen. In February 2002, straight bonds in the aggregate principal amount of 300,000 million yen were issued.
 
(8)Retirement and Severance Benefits

The Company and certain subsidiaries have contributory, funded benefit pension plans covering substantially all employees who meet eligibility requirements. Benefits under the plans are primarily based on the combination of years of service and compensation.
The contributory, funded benefit pension plans include a portion of social security tax calculated in accordance with the Welfare Pension Insurance Law. The Company and certain subsidiaries contribute to the pension funds as well as to the social security tax portion.
The Company and certain subsidiaries have contributory, funded benefit pension plans covering substantially all employees who meet eligibility requirements. Benefits under the plans are primarily based on the combination of years of service and compensation.
The contributory, funded benefit pension plans include a portion of social security tax calculated in accordance with the Welfare Pension Insurance Law. The Company and certain subsidiaries contribute to the pension funds as well as to the social security tax portion (“substitutional portion”). The employees contribute only to the social security tax portion.


- 71 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 In addition to the plans described above, upon retirement or termination of employment for reasons other than dismissal, employees are entitled to lump-sum payments based on the current rate of pay and length of service. If the termination is involuntary or caused by death, the severance payment is greater than in the case of voluntary termination. The lump-sum payment plans are not funded.
Effective April 1, 1999, the Company adopted SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” and SFAS No. 132, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits��� for the contributory, funded benefit pension plans and the unfunded lump-sum payment plans, as the effect of the current discount rate of actuarial assumptions on the pension funded status is expected to have a material effect in subsequent years. However, the effect of this change on consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2000 was not significant. Prior year consolidated financial statements have not been restated as the effects of the implementation of SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 132 are immaterial.
Net periodic benefit cost for the contributory, funded benefit pension plans and the unfunded lump-sum payment plans of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2000


- 102 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Effective April 1, 2002, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries amended their lump-sum payment plans to cash balance pension plans. Under the cash balance pension plans, each participant has an account which is credited yearly based on the current rate of pay and market-related interest rate.
Net periodic benefit cost for the contributory, funded benefit pension plans and the unfunded lump-sum payment plans of the Company for the three years ended March 31, 2002 consisted of the following components:

             
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002 2001 2000
  
 
 
Service cost – benefits earned during the year  85,009   89,737   86,391 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation  84,846   84,665   84,619 
Expected return on plan assets  (51,459)  (57,415)  (49,389)
Amortization of net transition obligation  9,972   9,972   9,972 
Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)  (3,965)      
Recognized actuarial loss  17,208   11,054   15,561 
   
   
   
 
             
Net periodic benefit cost  141,611   138,013   147,154 
   
   
   
 


- 103 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
Yen (millions)

2000

Service cost — benefits earned during the year86,391
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation84,619
Expected return on plan assets(49,389)
Amortization of net transition obligation9,972
Recognized actuarial loss15,561

Net periodic benefit cost147,154


- 72 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 Reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligations of the contributory, funded benefit pension plans and the unfunded lump-sum payment plans and the fair value of the plan assets and actuarial assumptions used at March 31, 2002 and 2001, and actuarial assumptions used as of March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 are as follows:

Yen (millions)

2000

Change in benefit obligations:
Benefit obligations at beginning of year1,951,275
Service cost86,391
Interest cost84,619
Plan participants’ contributions13,714
Actuarial loss64,649
Benefits paid(60,399)
Foreign currency exchange impact(4,026)

Benefit obligations at end of year2,136,223

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year1,191,545
Actual return on plan assets164,084
Employer contributions67,797
Plan participants’ contributions13,714
Benefits paid(23,652)
Foreign currency exchange impact(2,616)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year1,410,872

Funded status(725,351)

Unrecognized net transition obligation23,242
Unrecognized actuarial loss173,231

Accrued retirement and severance benefits recognized in the
   consolidated balance sheet
(528,878)

Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate4.0%
Expected return on plan assets4.0%
Rate of compensation increase2.6%
          
   Yen (millions)
   
 
   2002 2001
   
 
 
Change in benefit obligations:        
 Benefit obligations at beginning of year  2,235,210   2,136,223 
 Service cost  85,009   89,737 
 Interest cost  84,846   84,665 
 Plan participants’ contributions  13,676   13,902 
 Prior service cost (benefit)  (36,802)  (64,171)
 Actuarial loss  289,768   39,341 
 Benefits paid  (196,980)  (68,965)
 Foreign currency exchange impact  2,214   4,478 
   
   
 
 Benefit obligations at end of year  2,476,941   2,235,210 
   
   
 
         
Change in plan assets:        
 Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year  1,340,637   1,410,872 
 Actual return on plan assets  (75,208)  (134,692)
 Employer contributions  73,238   78,084 
 Plan participants’ contributions  13,676   13,902 
 Benefits paid  (44,535)  (31,260)
 Foreign currency exchange impact  1,733   3,731 
   
   
 
 Fair value of plan assets at end of year  1,309,541   1,340,637 
   
   
 
         
Funded status  (1,167,400)  (894,573)
   
   
 
Unrecognized net transition obligation  3,298   13,270 
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)  (97,008)  (64,171)
Unrecognized actuarial loss  786,786   387,078 
   
   
 
         
Net amount recognized  (474,324)  (558,396)
   
   
 
         
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:        
 Retirement and severance benefits  (718,501)  (558,396)
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), gross of tax  244,177    
   
   
 
         
Net amount recognized  (474,324)  (558,396)
   
   
 


- 104 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

              
   2002 2001 2000
   
 
 
Actuarial assumptions:            
 Discount rate  3.2%  4.0%  4.0%
 Expected return on plan assets  4.0%  4.0%  4.0%
 Rate of compensation increase  2.6%  2.6%  2.6%


- 73 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Prior to April 1, 1999, the Company did not adopt SFAS No. 87 for the contributory, funded benefit pension plans of the Company as the effects on the consolidated financial statements of the implementation of SFAS No. 87 were immaterial. However, the following table summarizes the available information related to the funded status based on the actuarial funding method for the contributory, funded benefit pension plans of the Company at March 31, 1998:
(9)Income Taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes and income taxes for the three years ended March 31, 2002 are summarized as follows:
Yen (millions)

1998

Liability reserve1,051,132
Fair value of plan assets, primarily marketable securities and loans1,058,554

Fair value of plan assets greater than the liability reserve7,422

                
         Yen (millions)    
      
 
     Domestic Foreign Total
     
 
 
2002:            
 Loss before income taxes  (543,624)  (4,385)  (548,009)
 Income taxes:            
  Current  10,904   19,131   30,035 
  Deferred  (78,398)  (8,848)  (87,246)
   
   
   
 
             
   Total income taxes  (67,494)  10,283   (57,211)
   
   
   
 
             
2001:            
 Income before income taxes  49,542   51,193   100,735 
 Income taxes:            
  Current  95,820   22,035   117,855 
  Deferred  (68,585)  591   (67,994)
   
   
   
 
             
   Total income taxes  27,235   22,626   49,861 
   
   
   
 
             
2000:            
 Income before income taxes  99,538   119,067   218,605 
 Income taxes:            
  Current  125,155   53,290   178,445 
  Deferred  (33,251)  (8,179)  (41,430)
   
   
   
 
             
   Total income taxes  91,904   45,111   137,015 
   
   
   
 


- 105 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to a number of taxes based on earnings which, in aggregate, resulted in an average normal tax provision (benefit) rate of approximately (41.9)% for the year ended March 31, 2002 and 41.9% for the years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000.
The effective tax rates for the years differ from the normal tax rates for the following reasons:
The assumed rates of salary increase, expected long-term rate of return and discount rate

              
   2002 2001 2000
   
 
 
Normal tax rate  (41.9)%  41.9%  41.9%
 Tax credit for increased research expenses  (0.2)  (2.8)  (1.3)
 Lower tax rates of overseas subsidiaries  (0.7)  (7.5)  (3.2)
 Expenses not deductible for tax purposes  1.8   11.2   6.6 
 Change in valuation allowance allocated to
income tax expenses
  25.1   5.4   18.7 
 Other  5.5   1.3    
   
   
   
 
             
Effective tax rate  (10.4)%  49.5%  62.7%
   
   
   
 

The significant components of deferred income tax expenses for the above pension plans were 2.7% ~ 3.9%, 5.5% and 5.5%, respectively. Pension costs, excluding the social security tax portion, for the years ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 amounted to 79,570 million yen and 60,071 million yen, respectively. The contributions to the plans for the years ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 for the portion of social security tax were 28,197 million yen and 26,623 million yen, respectively. Approximately half of the portion of social security tax was contributed by the employees and half was contributed by the three years ended March 31, 2002 are as follows:

              
   Yen (millions)
    
 
   2002 2001 2000
    
   
   
 
Deferred tax expense (exclusive of the effects of another component listed below)  (225,008)  (73,447)  (82,267)
Increase in the balance of valuation allowance for deferred tax assets  137,762   5,453   40,837 
    
   
   
 
              
    (87,246)  (67,994)  (41,430)
    
   
   
 


- 106 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at March 31, 2002 and 2001 are presented below:

           
    Yen (millions) 
     
 
     2002   2001
     
   
Deferred tax assets:        
 Inventory valuation  82,320   98,749 
 Expenses accrued for financial statement purposes but not currently included in taxable income  176,020   180,465 
 Depreciation  145,490   135,719 
 Retirement and severance benefits  217,568   149,540 
 Tax loss carryforwards  270,292   76,920 
 Other  142,885   103,613 
   
   
 
  Total gross deferred tax assets  1,034,575   745,006 
         
  Less valuation allowance  221,968   80,807 
   
   
 
         
  Net deferred tax assets  812,607   664,199 
         
Deferred tax liabilities:        
 Purchase accounting step-up of identifiable assets  (4,677)  (3,971)
 Net unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities  (48,850)  (65,968)
 Other  (29,512)  (25,345)
   
   
 
  Total gross deferred tax liabilities  (83,039)  (95,284)
   
   
 
         
  Net deferred tax assets  729,568   568,915 
   
   
 

The net change in total valuation allowance for the years ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 were increases of 141,161 million yen and 5,087 million yen, respectively.
At March 31, 2002, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries had, for tax reporting purposes, net operating loss carryforwards of approximately 668,492 million yen, which will generally expire between 2003 and 2022.


- 107 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Net deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2002 and 2001 are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the following captions:

           
   Yen (millions) 
   
 
   2002 2001 
   
 
 
 Other current assets  267,420   309,432  
 Other assets  483,523   282,558  
 Other liabilities  (21,375)  (23,075) 
    
   
  
           
 Net deferred tax assets  729,568   568,915  
    
   
  

(10)Stockholders’ Equity
In accordance with the Japanese Commercial Code, at least 50% of the amount of converted debt must be credited to the common stock account. The Company issued 58,941,866 shares, 580,241 shares and 326,535 shares in connection with the conversion of bonds for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
On April 1, 2000, the Company issued 16,321,187 shares under exchange offering in connection with the integration of two subsidiaries.
For the year ended March 31, 2002, 54,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were repurchased from the market for the aggregate cost of 90,598 million yen pursuant to a revision in the Japanese Commercial Code, with the intention to hold such repurchased shares as treasury stock to improve capital efficiency, and to use some or all of the repurchased shares for the forthcoming share exchange (See Note 19) to transform five companies into wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company.
The Japanese Commercial Code, amended effective October 1, 2001, provides that an amount equal to at least 10% of appropriations paid in cash be appropriated as a legal reserve until the aggregated amount of capital surplus and legal reserve equals 25% of stated capital. The capital surplus and legal reserve, up to 25% of stated capital, are not available for dividends but may be used to reduce a deficit or may be transferred to stated capital. The capital surplus and legal reserve, exceeding 25% of stated capital, are available for distribution upon approval of the shareholders’ meeting.


- 108 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Cash dividends and transfers to the legal reserve charged to retained earnings during the three years ended March 31, 2002 represent dividends paid out during the periods and related appropriation to the legal reserve. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any provision for the semi-annual dividend of 3.75 yen per share, totaling 7,813 million yen, proposed in June 2002 in respect of the year ended March 31, 2002 or for the related appropriation.
In accordance with the Japanese Commercial Code, there are certain restrictions on payment of dividends in connection with the treasury stock repurchased. As a result of restrictions on the treasury stock repurchased, retained earnings of approximately 92,185 million yen at March 31, 2002 were restricted as to the payment of cash dividends.
The Company’s directors and certain senior executives may be granted options to purchase the Company’s common stock. All stock options have a four-year term and become fully exercisable two years from the date of grant. Information with respect to stock options is as follows:

          
   Number Weighted average
   of shares exercise price (Yen)
   
 
Balance at March 31, 1999  113,000   2,291 
 Granted  116,000   2,476 
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2000  229,000   2,385 
 Granted  109,000   2,815 
 Exercised  (33,000)  2,291 
 Forfeited  (10,000)  2,291 
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2001  295,000   2,557 
 Granted  128,000   2,163 
 Forfeited  (28,000)  2,490 
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2002,        
 weighted average remaining life – 3.99 years  395,000   2,434 
   
   
 

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans described above. Accordingly, as the option price at the date of grant exceeded the fair market value of common shares, no compensation costs have been recognized in connection with the plans. If the accounting provision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” had been adopted, the impact on the Company’s net income (loss) for the three years ended March 31, 2002 would not be material.


- 109 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Treasury stock reserved for options at March 31, 2002 and 2001 was 395,000 shares and 295,000 shares, respectively.
On June 27, 2002, the annual shareholders’ meeting approved that the Company’s stock acquisition rights as stock options would be allotted to 27 directors and 8 senior executives. These stock option rights are exercisable from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2008. Total number of stock acquisition rights will be limited in aggregate to 130,000 common shares.
(11)Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three years ended March 31, 2002 are as follows:

               
    Yen (millions)
    
    Pre-tax Tax Net-of-tax
    amount expense amount
    
 
 
For the year ended March 31, 2002            
 Translation adjustments  98,740      98,740 
 Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities:            
  Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period  (133,472)  53,472   (80,000)
  Less: Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net loss  85,846   (33,821)  52,025 
    
   
   
 
  Net unrealized gains (losses)  (47,626)  19,651   (27,975)
             
 Unrealized holding gains of derivative instruments:            
  Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period  (28,241)  11,821   (16,420)
  Less: Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net loss  28,482   (11,934)  16,548 
    
   
   
 
  Net unrealized gains (losses)  241   (113)  128 
    
   
   
 
             
 Minimum pension liability adjustments  (199,175)  48,813   (150,362)
    
   
   
 
             
  Other comprehensive income (loss)  (147,820)  68,351   (79,469)
    
   
   
 


- 110 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

               
    Yen (millions)
    
    Pre-tax Tax Net-of-tax
    amount expense amount
    
 
 
For the year ended March 31, 2001            
 Translation adjustments  144,684      144,684 
 Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities:            
  Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period  (192,578)  78,714   (113,864)
  Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income  (13,706)  5,743   (7,963)
   
   
   
 
  Net unrealized gains (losses)  (206,284)  84,457   (121,827)
   
   
   
 
  Other comprehensive income (loss)  (61,600)  84,457   22,857 
   
   
   
 
For the year ended March 31, 2000            
 Translation adjustments  (139,946)     (139,946)
 Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities:            
  Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period  225,671   (94,556)  131,115 
  Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income  (39,712)  16,639   (23,073)
   
   
   
 
  Net unrealized gains (losses)  185,959   (77,917)  108,042 
   
   
   
 
  Other comprehensive income (loss)  46,013   (77,917)  (31,904)
   
   
   
 


- 111 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(12)Net Income (Loss) per Share
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share computation for the three years ended March 31, 2002 is as follows:

              
   Yen (millions)
   
   2002 2001 2000
   
 
 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders  (431,007)  41,500   99,709 
Effect of assumed conversions:            
 Convertible bonds, due 2002, interest 1.3%     747   747 
 Convertible bonds, due 2004, interest 1.4%     795   802 
   
   
   
 
             
Diluted net income (loss)  (431,007)  43,042   101,258 
   
   
   
 
              
   Number of shares
    
 
    2002   2001   2000 
    
   
   
 
Average common shares outstanding  2,075,667,943   2,079,235,871   2,062,295,743 
Dilutive effect of assumed conversions:            
 Convertible bonds,
due 2002, interest 1.3%
     60,941,152   61,090,690 
 Convertible bonds,
due 2004, interest 1.4%
     60,376,132   60,941,462 
 Stock options     23,848   15,403 
   
   
   
 
Diluted common shares outstanding  2,075,667,943   2,200,577,003   2,184,343,298 
   
   
   
 
              
   Yen
    
   2002 2001 2000
   
 
 
Net income (loss) per share:            
 Basic  (207.65)  19.96   48.35 
 Diluted  (207.65)  19.56   46.36 

The effect of potentially dilutive securities was not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the year ended March 31, 2002 as their effect would be antidilutive due to the net loss incurred for the year.


- 112 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(13)Supplementary Information to the Statements of Operations and Cash Flows
Research and development costs, advertising costs and shipping and handling costs charged to operations for the three years ended March 31, 2002 are as follows:

             
  Yen (millions)
  
  2002 2001 2000
  
 
 
Research and development costs  565,530   543,804   525,557 
Advertising costs  114,760   112,139   114,587 
Shipping and handling costs  129,158   149,563   152,387 

Included in other deductions of costs and expenses for the years ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 is a loss of 164,056 million yen and 100,195 million yen, respectively, associated with the implementation of the early retirement programs and the regional-based employee remuneration system in some domestic companies.
Included in other deduction of costs and expenses for the year ended March 31, 2002 is a loss of 61,622 million yen associated with the closure or integration of several manufacturing facilities, of which the total of 6,660 million yen was accrued at March 31, 2002.
Included in other income of revenues for the year ended March 31, 2000 is a gain of 58,566 million yen from the sale of EPCOS AG shares, a German electronic components manufacturing joint venture, held by a subsidiary, upon its initial public offering.
Foreign exchange gains and losses included in other deductions of costs and expenses for the years ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 is a loss of 12,975 million yen and 6,730 million yen, respectively. Foreign exchange gains and losses included in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended March 31, 2000 were not significant.
Shipping and handling costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.


- 113 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Income taxes and interest expenses paid and noncash investing and financing activities for the three years ended March 31, 2002 are as follows:

         
    Yen (millions)
    
    2002 2001 2000
    
 
 
a)Cash paid:      
  Interest 49,180 48,985 47,729
  Income taxes 62,414 146,694 178,184
         
b)Noncash investing and financing activities:      
  Conversion of bonds 95,486 940 528
  Capital transactions by consolidated and associated companies 2,830 969 3,004
  Stock issued under exchange offering  50,107 

(14)Foreign Exchange Contracts (Prior to SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 138)
 
 In addition, prior to April 1, 1999, retirement and severance benefit liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet were stated at the amount of the vested benefit obligation under the unfunded lump-sum payment plans, which would exist if all employees voluntarily terminated their employment at that date. Such liability exceeded the projected benefit obligation under the lump-sum payment plans. Benefit costs of the lump-sum payment plans represented benefit payments plus or minus the change in the vested benefit obligation and amounted to 49,306 million yen and 50,522 million yen for the years ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
At March 31, 2000, the benefit obligation under the lump-sum payment plans is stated at the amount of the projected benefit obligation since the projected benefit obligation exceeded the vested benefit obligation.


- 74 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(9)Income Taxes

Income before income taxes and income taxes for the three years ended March 31, 2000 are summarized as follows:

                
Yen (millions)

DomesticForeignTotal



2000:
Income before income taxes99,538119,067218,605
Income taxes:
Current125,15553,290178,445
Deferred(33,251)(8,179)(41,430)



Total income taxes91,90445,111137,015



1999:
Income before income taxes153,04749,246202,293
Income taxes:
Current117,92534,378152,303
Deferred26,881(3,734)23,147



Total income taxes144,80630,644175,450



1998:
Income before income taxes258,58297,042355,624
Income taxes:
Current160,27535,673195,948
Deferred43,252(4,351)38,901



Total income taxes203,52731,322234,849



For the years ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, domestic income taxes, deferred include the impact of 61,123 million yen and 37,423 million yen, respectively, attributable to adjustments of net deferred tax assets to reflect reductions in Japan’s corporate income tax rate.


- 75 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to a number of taxes based on earnings which, in aggregate, resulted in an average normal tax rate of approximately 41.9% for the year ended March 31, 2000, 47.6% for the year ended March 31, 1999 and 51.2% for the year ended March 31, 1998.
The effective rates for the years differ from the normal tax rates for the following reasons:

              
200019991998



Normal tax rate41.9%47.6%51.2%
Tax credit for increased research expenses(1.3)(0.9)(1.0)
Lower tax rates of overseas subsidiaries(3.2)(9.6)(1.3)
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes6.67.64.3
Change in valuation allowance allocated to
   income tax expenses
18.76.8(1.7)
Adjustments of deferred tax assets and liabilities
   for enacted changes in tax laws and rates
30.210.5
Other5.04.0



Effective tax rate62.7%86.7%66.0%



The significant components of deferred income tax expenses for the three years ended March 31, 2000 are as follows:

             
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Deferred tax expense (exclusive of the
   effects of other components
   listed below)
(82,267)(51,821)7,342
Adjustments of deferred tax assets and
   liabilities for enacted changes in tax
   laws and rates
61,12337,423
Increase (decrease) in the balance of
   valuation allowance for deferred
   tax assets
40,83713,845(5,864)



(41,430)23,14738,901




- 76 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at March 31, 2000 and 1999 are presented below:
           
Yen (millions)

20001999


Deferred tax assets:
Inventory valuation87,22983,516
Expenses accrued for financial statement purposes
   but not currently included in taxable income
145,235132,477
Depreciation130,556121,689
Retirement and severance benefits124,979108,194
Tax loss carryforwards73,70962,864
Other99,64485,502


          Total gross deferred tax assets661,352594,242
          Less valuation allowance75,72038,275


          Net deferred tax assets585,632555,967
Deferred tax liabilities:
Purchase accounting step-up of identifiable assets(2,723)(2,761)
Other(25,809)(29,316)


          Total gross deferred tax liabilities(28,532)(32,077)


          Net deferred tax assets557,100523,890


The net change in total valuation allowance for the years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 were an increase of 37,445 million yen and a decrease of 1,337 million yen, respectively.
At March 31, 2000, certain subsidiaries had, for tax reporting purposes, net operating loss carryforwards of approximately 188,334 million yen, which will generally expire between 2001 and 2020.


- 77 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Net deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2000 and 1999 are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the following captions:

         
Yen (millions)

20001999


Other current assets253,080251,189
Other assets304,872273,616
Other liabilities(852)(915)


Net deferred tax assets557,100523,890


(10)Stockholders’ Equity

In accordance with the Japanese Commercial Code, at least 50% of the amount of converted debt must be credited to the common stock account. The Company issued 326,535 shares, 26,464 shares and 1,161,459 shares in connection with the conversion of bonds for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
For the year ended March 31, 1999, 50,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were repurchased from the market and retired for an aggregate cost of 98,883 million yen. The entire repurchase cost of retired shares was charged to retained earnings in accordance with the Japanese Commercial Code.
The Japanese Commercial Code provides that an amount equal to at least 10% of appropriations paid in cash be appropriated as a legal reserve until such reserve equals 25% of stated capital. This reserve is not available for dividends but may be used to reduce a deficit or may be transferred to stated capital.
Cash dividends and transfers to the legal reserve charged to retained earnings during the three years ended March 31, 2000 represent dividends paid out during the periods and related appropriation to the legal reserve. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any provision for the semi-annual dividend of 6.25 yen per share, totaling 12,890 million yen, proposed in June 2000 in respect of the year ended March 31, 2000 or for the related appropriation.


- 78 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company’s directors and certain senior executives may be granted options to purchase the Company’s common stock. All stock options have a four-year term and become fully exercisable two years from the date of grant. Information with respect to stock options is as follows:

          
Weighted average
Number   exercise price    
of sharesYen


Balance at March 31, 1998
Granted113,0002,291


Balance at March 31, 1999113,0002,291
Granted116,0002,476


Balance at March 31, 2000,
   weighted average remaining life — 4.76 years
229,0002,385


The Company applies Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans described above. Accordingly, as the option price at the date of grant exceeded the fair market value of common shares, no compensation costs have been recognized in connection with the plans. If the accounting provision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” had been adopted, the impact on the Company’s net income for the year ended March 31, 2000 would not be material.
Treasury stock reserved for options at March 31, 2000 and 1999 was 229,000 shares and 113,000 shares, respectively. In accordance with the Japanese Commercial Code, there are certain restrictions on payment of dividends in connection with the treasury stock repurchased for stock options. As a result of restrictions on the treasury stock repurchased for stock options, retained earnings of approximately 540 million yen at March 31, 2000 are restricted as to the payment of cash dividends.
On June 29, 2000, the annual shareholders’ meeting approved that the Company’s stock option rights would be allotted to 28 directors and 5 senior executives at amounts ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 common shares each. These stock option rights are exercisable from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2006. Pursuant to such authorization in June 2000, 109,000 common shares were repurchased on July 3, 2000.


- 79 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(11)Net Income per Depositary Share

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income per depositary share computation for the three years ended March 31, 2000 is as follows:

              
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Net income available to common stockholders99,70913,54193,604
Effect of assumed conversions:
Convertible bonds, due 1999, interest 1.3%1,259
Convertible bonds, due 2002, interest 1.3%747629
Convertible bonds, due 2004, interest 1.4%802676



Diluted net income101,25813,54196,168



              
Number of shares

200019991998



Average common shares outstanding2,062,295,7432,089,988,4492,112,052,091
Dilutive effect of assumed conversions:
   Convertible bonds,
        due 1999, interest 1.3%
81,285,840
   Convertible bonds,
        due 2002, interest 1.3%
61,090,69061,267,028
   Convertible bonds,
        due 2004, interest 1.4%
60,941,46261,181,174
   Stock options15,403



Diluted common shares outstanding2,184,343,2982,089,988,4492,315,786,133



              
Yen

200019991998



Net income per depositary share:
Basic48465443
Diluted46465415

Approximately 197 million of the potential common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the year ended March 31, 1999, because their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect on net income per share.


- 80 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(12)Supplementary Information to the Statements of Income and Cash Flows

Research and development costs and advertising costs charged to income for the three years ended March 31, 2000 are as follows:

             
Yen (millions)

200019991998



Research and development costs525,557499,986480,539
Advertising costs114,587128,285125,774

Included in other income of revenues for the year ended March 31, 2000 is a gain of 58,566 million yen from the sale of EPCOS AG shares, a German electronic components manufacturing joint venture, held by a subsidiary, upon its initial public offering.
Included in other deductions of costs and expenses for the year ended March 31, 1999 is a loss of 11,277 million yen related to liquidation of a U.S. joint venture for production of computer peripherals components.
Included in other deductions of costs and expenses for the year ended March 31, 1998 are foreign exchange losses of 25,086 million yen. Foreign exchange gains and losses included in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 were not significant.
Income taxes and interest expenses paid and noncash investing and financing activities for the three years ended March 31, 2000 are as follows:

                
Yen (millions)

200019991998



a)Cash paid:
Interest47,72970,67277,254
Income taxes178,184160,046272,951
b)Noncash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of bonds528561,887
Transfer of ownership arising on capital
   transactions by consolidated and
   associated companies
3,0042,9604,096


- 81 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(13)Foreign Exchange Contracts

 The Company and its subsidiaries operate internationally, giving rise to significant exposure to market risks arising from changes in foreign exchange rates. Derivative financial instruments are comprised principally of foreign exchange contracts utilized by the Company and some of its subsidiaries to hedge these risks. The Company and its subsidiaries do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
 
 The Company and its subsidiaries are exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to foreign exchange contracts, but such risk is considered minor because of the high credit rating of the counterparties.

The contract amounts of foreign exchange contracts at March 31, 2000 and 1999
The contract amounts of foreign exchange contracts at March 31, 2001 are as follows:

          
Yen (millions)

20001999


Forward:
To sell foreign currencies373,417312,453
To buy foreign currencies82,44462,371
Options purchased to sell foreign currencies26,7113,670
Options purchased to buy foreign currencies1,260
Options written to buy foreign currencies24,8203,873
Options written to sell foreign currencies4,734
Yen (millions)

2001

         Forward:
         To sell foreign currencies350,087
         To buy foreign currencies109,523
         Options purchased to sell foreign currencies16,430
         Options purchased to buy foreign currencies34,412
         Options written to buy foreign currencies24,956
         Options written to sell foreign currencies40,080


- 114 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 The Company and its subsidiaries enter into forward exchange contracts and options to hedge firm commitments expected to be denominated in foreign currencies, principally U.S. dollars. The terms of these foreign exchange contracts rarely extend beyond a few months.
(15)Derivatives and Hedging Activities
The Company and its subsidiaries operate internationally, giving rise to significant exposure to market risks arising from changes in foreign exchange rates. Derivative financial instruments are comprised principally of foreign exchange contracts utilized by the Company and some of its subsidiaries to hedge these risks. The Company assesses foreign currency exchange rate risk by continually monitoring changes in these exposures and by evaluating hedging opportunities. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for any purposes other than hedging.
Gains and losses related to derivative instruments are classified in other income (deductions) in the statements of operations. The amount of the hedging ineffectiveness and net gain or loss excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness is not material for the year ended March 31, 2002. Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2002 are expected to be recognized in earnings over the next twelve months. The maximum term over which the Company is hedging exposures to the variability of cash flows for foreign currency exchange risk is approximately five months.
The Company and its subsidiaries are exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to foreign exchange contracts, but such risk is considered mitigated by the high credit rating of the counterparties.
The contract amounts of foreign exchange contracts at March 31, 2002 are as follows:

Yen (millions)

2002

Forward:
To sell foreign currencies374,993
To buy foreign currencies173,546
Options purchased to sell foreign currencies37,940

(16)Fair Value of Financial Instruments
(14) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:


- 115 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 Cash and cash equivalents, Time deposits, Trade receivables, Short-term borrowings, Trade payables and Accrued expenses
The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Short-term investments
The fair value of short-term investments is estimated based on quoted market prices.
Noncurrent receivables
The carrying amount which is generally stated at the net realizable value approximates fair value.
Investments and advances
The fair value of investments and advances is estimated based on quoted market prices or the present value of future cash flows using appropriate current discount rates.
Long-term debt
The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market prices or the present value of future cash flows using appropriate current discount rates.
Derivative financial instruments
The fair value of derivative financial instruments, consisting principally of foreign exchange contracts, all of which are used for hedging purposes, are estimated by obtaining quotes from brokers.
The estimated fair values of financial instruments, all of which are held or issued for purposes other than trading, at March 31, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:

                   
    Yen (millions)
    
    2002 2001
    
 
    Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
    amount value amount value
    
 
 
 
Non-derivatives:                
 Assets:                
  Short-term investments  11,849   11,849   11,421   11,421 
  Investments and advances  813,104   813,118   1,008,170   1,009,122 
 Liabilities:                
  Long-term debt,
including current portion
  (965,466)  (981,512)  (809,111)  (903,698)
Derivatives relating to long-term
debt, including current portion
  8,103   8,103   (1,367)  (1,399)


- 116 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Limitations
 
 The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Short-term investments
The fair value of short-term investments is estimated based on quoted market prices.


- 82 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Noncurrent receivables

The carrying amount which is generally stated at the net realizable value approximates fair value.

Investments and advances

The fair value of investments and advances is estimated based on the quoted market prices or the present value of future cash flows using appropriate current discount rates.

Long-term debt

The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices or the present value of future cash flows using appropriate current discount rates.

Derivative financial instruments
The fair value of derivative financial instruments, consisting principally of foreign exchange contracts, all of which are used for hedging purposes, are estimated by obtaining quotes from brokers.
The estimated fair values of financial instruments, all of which are held or issued for purposes other than trading, at March 31, 2000 and 1999 are as follows:

                   
Yen (millions)

20001999


CarryingFairCarryingFair
amountvalueamountvalue




Non-derivatives:
Assets:
Short-term investments134,716136,883124,327130,923
Investments and advances785,0061,164,740799,937988,304
Liabilities:
Long-term debt, including
   current portion
(792,802)(975,617)(838,879)(937,636)
Derivatives relating to long-term
   debt, including current portion
(19,117)(19,106)(4,717)(4,888)

Limitations
 Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.


- 83 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes

(17)Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
At March 31, 2002, commitments outstanding for the purchase of property, plant and equipment approximated 6,496 million yen. Contingent liabilities at March 31, 2002 for discounted export bills of exchange and guarantees of loans amounted to Consolidated Financial Statements

(15)Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

At March 31, 2000, commitments outstanding for the purchase of property, plant and equipment approximated 76,608 million yen. Contingent liabilities at March 31, 2000 for discounted export bills of exchange and guarantees of loans amounted to approximately 88,094 million yen, including 72,659approximately 79,674 million yen, including 59,521 million yen for loans guaranteed principally on behalf of associated companies and customers.
 
 There are a number of legal actions against the Company and certain subsidiaries. Management is of the opinion that damages, if any, resulting from these actions will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
(18)Segment Information
The Company adopted SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” in the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2001, and accordingly, prior year figures have been restated to reflect this change. These segments reported below are the components of the Company for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker of the Company in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Business segments correspond to categories of activity classified primarily by markets and products. “AVC Networks” includes video and audio equipment and information and communications equipment. “Home Appliances” includes home appliances and household equipment. “Industrial Equipment” includes electronic-parts-mounting machines, industrial robots and industrial equipment. “Components and Devices” includes electronic components, semiconductors, electric motors and batteries.

(16)


- 117 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Information by segment for the three years ended March 31, 2002 is shown in the tables below:
By Business Segment:

                
     Yen (millions)
     
 
     2002 2001 2000
     
 
 
 
Sales:            
 AVC Networks:            
  Customers  4,051,846   4,280,021   4,081,435 
  Intersegment  65   119   124 
   
   
   
 
   Total  4,051,911   4,280,140   4,081,559 
 Home Appliances:            
  Customers  1,178,185   1,316,254   1,305,978 
  Intersegment  998   13   25 
   
   
   
 
   Total  1,179,183   1,316,267   1,306,003 
 Industrial Equipment:            
  Customers  288,702   467,518   381,492 
  Intersegment  7,065   6,995   9,595 
   
   
   
 
   Total  295,767   474,513   391,087 
 Components and Devices:            
  Customers  1,357,955   1,617,768   1,530,482 
  Intersegment  614,832   859,973   827,805 
   
   
   
 
   Total  1,972,787   2,477,741   2,358,287 
 Eliminations  (622,960)  (867,100)  (837,549)
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  6,876,688   7,681,561   7,299,387 
   
   
   
 
Segment profit (loss):            
 AVC Networks  (51,687)  104,158   101,155 
 Home Appliances  38,063   54,655   42,474 
 Industrial Equipment  (44,493)  18,050   20,471 
 Components and Devices  (95,938)  88,685   66,110 
 Corporate and eliminations  (57,752)  (77,144)  (71,156)
   
   
   
 
  Total segment profit (loss)  (211,807)  188,404   159,054 
   
   
   
 
Interest income  33,556   43,712   42,949 
Dividends received  9,162   12,237   14,674 
Other income  53,774   54,082   135,746 
Interest expense  (41,213)  (43,538)  (46,237)
Other deductions  (391,481)  (154,162)  (87,581)
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes  (548,009)  100,735   218,605 
   
   
   
 


- 118 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

               
    Yen (millions)
    
 
    2002 2001 2000
    
 
 
 
Identifiable assets:            
 AVC Networks  2,513,877   2,689,343   2,627,626 
 Home Appliances  1,137,909   1,233,308   1,226,741 
 Industrial Equipment  221,195   297,396   320,861 
 Components and Devices  1,706,920   1,960,950   1,790,492 
 Corporate and eliminations  2,047,258   1,975,291   1,989,355 
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  7,627,159   8,156,288   7,955,075 
   
   
   
 
Depreciation (including intangibles other than goodwill):            
 AVC Networks  110,669   116,696   123,484 
 Home Appliances  30,435   28,398   31,116 
 Industrial Equipment  9,187   8,356   7,426 
 Components and Devices  174,790   189,633   177,099 
 Corporate and eliminations  9,639   9,749   10,072 
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  334,720   352,832   349,197 
   
   
   
 
Capital investment (including intangibles other than goodwill):            
 AVC Networks  99,064   137,354   133,747 
 Home Appliances  22,046   30,759   22,120 
 Industrial Equipment  6,438   11,489   7,866 
 Components and Devices  191,704   337,406   179,355 
 Corporate and eliminations  13,814   14,192   11,583 
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  333,066   531,200   354,671 
   
   
   
 

Corporate expenses include certain corporate R&D expenditures and general corporate expenses.
Corporate assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, time deposits, marketable securities in short-term investments, investments and advances and other assets related to unallocated expenses.


- 119 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Intangibles mainly represent patents, software and rights to public facilities.
By Geographical Area:
Sales attributed to countries based upon the customer’s location and long-lived assets are as follows:

               
    Yen (millions)
    
    2002 2001 2000
    
 
 
Sales:            
 Japan  3,348,353   4,033,785   3,698,181 
 North and South America  1,358,689   1,379,959   1,384,550 
 Europe  774,820   849,205   905,620 
 Asia and Others  1,394,826   1,418,612   1,311,036 
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  6,876,688   7,681,561   7,299,387 
   
   
   
 
             
United States of America included in North and South America  1,217,241   1,245,280   1,274,024 
             
Long-lived assets:            
 Japan  1,147,295   1,284,744   1,145,057 
 North and South America  121,784   135,767   120,933 
 Europe  61,644   62,433   57,630 
 Asia and Others  251,039   236,351   189,839 
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  1,581,762   1,719,295   1,513,459 
   
   
   
 
United States of America included in North and South America  115,971   128,815   115,431 

There are no individually material countries of which sales and long-lived assets should be separately disclosed in North and South America, Europe and Asia and Others, except for the United States of America.
Transfers between business segments or geographic segments are made at arms-length prices. There are no sales to a single external major customer for the three years ended March 31, 2002.


- 120 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following information shows sales, geographical profit (loss) and identifiable assets which are attributed to geographic areas based on the country location of the Company or its subsidiaries for the three years ended March 31, 2002. In addition to the disclosure requirements under SFAS No. 131, the Company discloses this information as supplemental information in light of the disclosure requirements of the Japanese Securities and Exchange Law, which a Japanese public company is subject to:

                
     Yen (millions)
      
 
     2002 2001 2000
      
   
   
 
Sales:            
 Japan:            
  Customers  4,140,314   4,981,666   4,706,534 
  Intersegment  903,876   1,204,963   1,057,828 
   
   
   
 
   Total  5,044,190   6,186,629   5,764,362 
 North and South America:            
  Customers  1,177,512   1,148,909   1,084,157 
  Intersegment  36,662   30,326   30,968 
   
   
   
 
   Total  1,214,174   1,179,235   1,115,125 
 Europe:            
  Customers  598,390   622,938   669,595 
  Intersegment  14,872   30,667   25,945 
   
   
   
 
   Total  613,262   653,605   695,540 
 Asia and Others:            
  Customers  960,472   928,048   839,101 
  Intersegment  636,625   580,183   461,938 
   
   
   
 
   Total  1,597,097   1,508,231   1,301,039 
 Eliminations  (1,592,035)  (1,846,139)  (1,576,679)
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  6,876,688   7,681,561   7,299,387 
   
   
   
 
             
Geographical profit (loss):            
 Japan  (172,197)  214,521   165,721 
 North and South America  (6,923)  11,569   15,334 
 Europe  (18,281)  (5,910)  (2,487)
 Asia and Others  44,957   43,632   44,334 
 Corporate and eliminations  (59,363)  (75,408)  (63,848)
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  (211,807)  188,404   159,054 
   
   
   
 


- 121 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

               
    Yen (millions)
    
    2002 2001 2000
    
 
 
Identifiable assets:            
 Japan  4,135,167   4,686,994   4,645,975 
 North and South America  509,153   546,560   479,095 
 Europe  329,976   344,792   400,581 
 Asia and Others  796,670   749,007   638,495 
 Corporate and eliminations  1,856,193   1,828,935   1,790,929 
   
   
   
 
  Consolidated total  7,627,159   8,156,288   7,955,075 
   
   
   
 

(19)Subsequent Events
Effective April 1, 2002, pursuant to an agreement between the Company and Toshiba Corporation to integrate their respective liquid crystal display (LCD) business, a new joint venture, Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd. was established upon division of relevant business from both companies. The Company transferred its related assets of 89,510 million yen and liabilities of 60,031 million yen to the joint venture in exchange for a 40% ownership interest.
On April 26, 2002, the Company entered into definitive share exchange agreements with five subsidiaries. The share exchange is expected to take place on October 1, 2002. Under the terms of the agreement, 2.884, 0.576, 0.332, 0.833 and 0.538 of one share of the Company’s common stock will be issued in exchange for each share of Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd., Kyushu Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd., Matsushita Seiko Co., Ltd., Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Industries, Ltd. and Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems, Inc. common stock, respectively. The share exchange agreements were approved at the June 27, 2002, annual shareholders’ meetings of the Company and each of the five subsidiaries.
In June 2002, the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries obtained approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (the Ministry) for an exemption from the future benefit obligation with respect to the substitutional portion of each Employees Pension Fund (EPF) that the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries operate on behalf of the government in accordance with Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law, following the enactment in April 2001 of a new law concerning the defined benefit pension plans in Japan. The Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries will apply for the return of the past benefit obligation of the substitutional portion of each EPF. Settlement of the past benefit obligation of the substitutional portion and the return of the pension assets to the government will be carried out by December 15, 2003.


- 122 -

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(20)Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Quarterly net sales, net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share for the two years ended March 31, 2002 are set forth in the following table:

                 
  Yen (millions), except per share information
   
  2002
   
      Net Net income Net income
  Net income (loss) per share: (loss) per share:
  sales (loss) basic (yen) diluted (yen)
   
 
 
 
Quarter ended
                
                 
June 30  1,674,784   (19,373)  (9.32)  (9.32)
September 30  1,710,825   (50,100)  (24.10)  (24.10)
December 31  1,737,235   (172,025)  (82.74)  (82.74)
March 31  1,753,844   (189,509)  (91.76)  (91.76)
                 
  Yen (millions), except per share information
   
  2001
   
      Net Net income Net income
  Net income (loss) per share: (loss) per share:
  sales (loss) basic (yen) diluted (yen)
   
 
 
 
Quarter ended
                
                 
June 30  1,772,375   9,399   4.52   4.45 
September 30  1,964,666   41,973   20.19   19.25 
December 31  1,992,628   22,782   10.96   10.53 
March 31  1,951,892   (32,654)  (15.70)  (15.70)


- 123 -

Schedule II

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

(In millions of yen)

Years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000

                          
           Deduct        
           
        
   Balance                    
   at Add Bad     Add (deduct)    
   beginning -charged debts     -cumulative Balance
   of to written     translation at end of
   period income off Reversal adjustments period
   
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful trade receivables:                        
                         
 2002  42,530   4,249   3,729   4,013   1,261   40,298 
                         
 2001  42,098   13,289   12,460   1,929   1,532   42,530 
                         
 2000  63,649   10,252   28,670   1,473   (1,660)  42,098 
                         
Allowance for doubtful noncurrent receivables:                        
                         
 2002  98   1,514   1,562         50 
                         
 2001  144   3,160   3,206         98 
                         
 2000  304   1,728   1,888         144 


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Item 18. Financial Statements

Not applicable

Item 19. Exhibits

Documents filed as exhibits to this annual report are as follows:

1.1Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (English translation)
1.2Share Handling Regulations of the Registrant (English translation)
1.3Regulations of the Board of Directors of the Registrant (English translation)
1.4Regulations of the Board of Corporate Auditors of the Registrant (English translation)
2.1Specimen common stock certificates of the Registrant (English translation)
2.2Form of Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York (now JP Morgan Chase Bank) as Depositary and all owners and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts, including the form of American Depositary Receipt [incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-12694) filed on October 4, 2000]
8.1Subsidiaries of the Registrant [List of significant subsidiaries (see Section C of Item 4)]


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 Subsequent Events

On April 1, 2000, the Company acquired approximately 48% of the outstanding shares of Matsushita Refrigeration Company (MRC) and approximately 53% of the outstanding shares of Wakayama Precision Co., Ltd. (WPC) pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreements dated November 22, 1999. As a result of such share acquisitions, MRC and WPC became wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company.
The shareholders of MRC were allotted new shares of the Company’s common stock at the ratio of 0.186 shares for each share of MRC held, while the shareholders of WPC were allotted new shares of the Company’s common stock at the ratio of 0.093 shares for each share of WPC held. As a result of the share exchanges, the Company newly issued 16,321,187 shares of common stock at a market price of 3,070 yen per share as of March 31, 2000. The share exchanges will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.


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MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(17)Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Quarterly net sales, net income (loss) and net income (loss) per depositary share for the two years ended March 31, 2000 are set forth in the following table:

                 
Yen (millions), except per share information

2000

Net income perNet income per
NetNetdepositary share:depositary share:
salesincomebasic (yen)diluted (yen)




    Quarter ended

    June 30
1,755,4069,552 46 46 
    September 301,837,28624,514119114
    December 311,866,736  60,656294280
    March 311,839,9594,9872424
                 
Yen (millions), except per share information

1999

Net incomeNet income
Net(loss) per(loss) per
Netincomedepositary share:depositary share:
sales(loss)basic (yen)diluted (yen)




    Quarter ended

    June 30
1,875,84611,1165351
    September 302,015,996(1,608)(8)(8)
    December 311,938,35420,2959892
    March 311,809,923(16,262)(79)(79)

For the quarter ended March 31, 1999, net loss includes the impact of approximately 52,768 million yen, attributable to adjustments of net deferred tax assets to reflect reductions in Japan’s corporate income tax rate.
(Registrant)

Date: July 17, 2002By/s/ Shigeru Nakatani

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Schedule VIII

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.

Shigeru Nakatani
President of
Panasonic Finance (America), LTD.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

(In millions of yen)

Years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998

                           
Deduct
Balance
Add
atAdd-Bad(deduct)-Balance
beginningchargeddebtscumulativeat end
oftowrittentranslationof
periodincomeoffReversaladjustmentsperiod






Allowance for doubtful
   trade receivables:
200063,64910,25228,6701,473(1,660)42,098
199962,74213,5058,7812,454(1,363)63,649
199860,8108,3164,8241,240(320)62,742
Allowance for doubtful
   noncurrent receivables:
20003041,7281,888144
1999523219304
199863,17112,24974,897523


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Item 19. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)Financial StatementsInc.

The following financial statements and schedules are filed in Part IV, Item 17 of this report:
1 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1001,

Consolidated Financial Statements of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and Consolidated Subsidiaries:

Page
number

Independent Auditors’ Report50
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2000 and 199951
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 199853
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended March 31, 2000,
   1999 and 1998
54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 199856
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements58
Schedule for the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998:
Schedule VIIIValuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for
   the years ended March 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
85
New York, N.Y. 10020-2002

(b)Exhibits

SHARE HANDLING REGULATIONS as amended on April 1, 2000 (English translation)


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
(Registrant)


Date: July 31, 2000By/s/     Shigeru Nakatani
Shigeru Nakatani
President of
Panasonic Finance (America), Inc.
375 Park Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10152


Exhibit

(TRANSLATION)

SHARE HANDLING REGULATIONS

(Amended on April 1, 2000)

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.